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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1962 September; 10(5): 480-485

Experiences with the Coulter Counter in Bacteriology¹

Sias Laboratories, Brooks Hospital, Brookline, Massachusetts

ABSTRACT

Viable and killed suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus SM, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens, as well as polystyrene spheres, 0.81 and 2.85 µ in diameter, were counted electronically with a model A Coulter Counter. Simultaneous counts by standard bacteriological methods and microscopy were done for purposes of control and comparison with the data from the Coulter Counter. Results indicated: (i) electrical characteristics of different bacterial populations are different; (ii) electronic counts were consistent for species used; (iii) live S. aureus exhibits a denser pattern of thick bright pulses on the cathode-ray tube than does live E. coli; (iv) killed bacteria resemble inert particles in pulse pattern; and (v) some viable bacteria do not react independently of current flow, as do inert particles and killed bacteria.

¹ Presented before the Laboratory Section of the American Public Health Association on Wednesday November 15, 1961, at Detroit, Mich.