RAPID DETECTION OF SPECIFIC MICROBIAL-CEL LS BY FLUORESCENT STAINING TECHNIQUES

The method observing fluorescence-labeled bacteria under fluorescence microscope is an excellent cell analysis to obtain information biochem ical and physiological activities, and morphological and genetic evide nce in bacteria. Using this method we can analyze cells at the single cell level and also in the shorter period than using ordinary methods based on culture. Therefore, the application of this method can be exp ected in various fields, such as medical science, food industry, water quality control and so on. From this point of view, we overview recen t evidence on total direct counting, vital staining, fluorescence in s itu hybridization (FISH), and in situ PCR.