Abstract: The incubation and detection device includes a heater, a detection surface with at least one receptacle including a growth medium, and a detection system. There is also a system for preventing the formation of condensation in the receptacle, which includes a temperature-control formed by temperature sensors, heaters, coolers, and management device capable of collecting and analyzing the information collected by the sensor and controlling the heater and cooler so as to generate the desired incubation temperature and permanently apply a temperature gradient to the surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: The device permitting an early detection, without measurement of the fluorescence, of colonies resulting from the multiplication of micro-organisms present in a sample to be tested, includes a substantially flat and horizontal detection surface, on which at least one support for growing the micro-organisms in the form of colonies is arranged immobile. The support is of the type membrane or agar medium. There is a detection system, such as a linear scanner, mounted movable and flat for scanning the whole or part of the surface, including at least one CCD sensor associated with an optical system comprised of at least one lighting and at least one optical device, such as a lens. The CCD sensor has a resolution higher than or equal to 2400 dpi. The detection system images colonies having a diameter smaller than 50 [mu]m through a useful magnification higher than or equal to 60.