Method and kit for the detection of microorganisms

摘要

A method for determining the presence of microorganisms in a liquid sample. The liquid sample is first filtered through a filter having a pore size which is small enough to prevent passage of microorganisms through the filter but large enough to permit passage of any free reducing agents present in the sample whereby microorganisms present in the sample are retained on the filter. A chromogenic reagent having an oxidation potential such that the reagent can be reduced by microbial dehydrogenase and selected such that reduction of the chromogenic reagent yields a visibly colored product is then passed through the filter, and the filter is monitored for the formation of a visibly colored product indicative of the presence of microorganisms in the sample. The method can be practiced with the aid of a kit which includes a filter apparatus, a test solution for visualization of microorganisms and optionally a solution of a non-ionic alkyl glucoside-type detergent and a chaotropic agent for visualization only gram-negative bacteria.