Fountain Flow cytometry, a new technique for the rapid detection and enumeration of microorganisms in aqueous samples.

Background: Pathogenic microorganisms are known to cause widespread waterborne disease worldwide. There is an urgent need to develop a technique for the real-time detection of pathogens in environmental samples at low concentrations, <10 microorganisms/ml, in large sample volumes, > or =100 ml.

Methods: A novel method, Fountain Flowtrade mark cytometry, for the rapid and sensitive detection of individual microorganisms in aqueous samples is presented.