METHOD, KIT AND SYSTEM FOR CULTURABLE CELL COUNT

The present invention provides a method, kit and system for determining a quantitative value indicative of the number of culturable microbial cells, such as E. Coli, Ps. Aeruginosa or a mixture of microbial cells (e.g. for total microbial count) in a tested sample, the method comprising (i) contacting the tested sample, susceptible of carrying culturable microbial cells with at least one signal-emitting agent capable of associating with the microbial cell's membrane, said contacting is for a predetermined first time period (T1) being sufficient for internalization of the signal-emitting agent into the microbial cell to a level at which the signal emitted from the sample essentially reaches a plateau; (ii) removing from said tested sample non-internalized signal emitting agent; (iii) during a second time period (T2), following said first time period (T1), and at which said signal is essentially maintained in said plateau, detecting from signal emitting objects within said sample signal emitting culturable cells, said detection being based on selection parameters predetermined for said culturable cells; and (iv) determining, based on said selected signal emitting objects, a quantitative value indicative of the number of culturable cells in the tested sample. The kit comprises one or more of said signal emitting agents and instructions for use of same. Also provided is a program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform said method and a computer program comprising computer program code means for performing said method.