Rapid Detection of Specific Microbial Cells by Fluorescent Staining Techniques

The method observing fluorescence-labeled bacteria under fluorescence microscope is an excellent cell analysis to obtain information biochemical and physiological activities, and morphological and genetic evidence 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 expected in various fields, such as medical science, food industry, water quality control and so on. From this point of view, we overview recent evidence on total direct counting, vital staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and in situ PCR.