Abstract: A kit for detecting live cells of a microorganism in a test sample by distinguishing the live cells from dead cells or injured cells by a nucleic acid amplification method includes the following components: 1) an agent capable of covalently binding to DNA or RNA of the microorganism by irradiation with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm; 2) an agent for suppressing a nucleic acid amplification inhibitory substance; and 3) a primer or primers for amplifying a target region of the DNA or RNA of the microorganism to be detected by a nucleic acid amplification method. The agent for suppressing a nucleic acid amplification inhibitory substance is one or more selected from albumin, dextran, T4 gene 32 protein, acetamide, betaine, dimethyl sulfoxide, formamide, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, soybean trypsin inhibitor, ?2-macroglobulin, tetramethylammonium chloride, lysozyme, phosphorylase and lactate dehydrogenase.

Abstract: A kit for detecting live cells of a microorganism in a test sample by distinguishing the live cells from dead cells or injured cells by a nucleic acid amplification method includes the following components: 1) an agent capable of covalently binding to DNA or RNA of the microorganism by irradiation with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm; 2) an agent for suppressing a nucleic acid amplification inhibitory substance; and 3) a primer or primers for amplifying a target region of the DNA or RNA of the microorganism to be detected by a nucleic acid amplification method. The agent for suppressing a nucleic acid amplification inhibitory substance is one or more selected from albumin, dextran, T4 gene 32 protein, acetamide, betaine, dimethyl sulfoxide, formamide, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, soybean trypsin inhibitor, ?2-macroglobulin, tetramethylammonium chloride, lysozyme, phosphorylase and lactate dehydrogenase.

Abstract: Live cells of microorganism in a test sample are detected by distinguishing the live cells from dead cells or injured cells by the following steps of: a) adding an agent capable of covalently binding to DNA or RNA by irradiation with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm to the test sample; b) irradiating the test sample to which the cross-linking agent is added with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm; c) amplifying a target region of DNA or RNA of the microorganism contained in the test sample by a nucleic acid amplification method in the presence of an agent for suppressing an action of a nucleic acid amplification inhibitory substance, without extracting nucleic acids from the cells; and d) analyzing the amplified product.

Abstract: Live cells of microorganism in a test sample are detected by distinguishing the live cells from dead cells or injured cells by the following steps of: a) adding an agent capable of covalently binding to DNA or RNA by irradiation with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm to the test sample; b) irradiating the test sample to which the cross-linking agent is added with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm; c) amplifying a target region of DNA or RNA of the microorganism contained in the test sample by a nucleic acid amplification method in the presence of an agent for suppressing an action of a nucleic acid amplification inhibitory substance, without extracting nucleic acids from the cells; and d) analyzing the amplified product.