Abstract: A method for detecting microorganisms or cells wherein microorganisms or cells contained in a sample are captured on the surface of the adhesive layer of a collection sheet having a substrate layer containing a focusing marker, an adhesive layer having a predetermined thickness and deposited on this substrate layer, the microorganisms or cells are stained by a staining reagent, and after being automatically focused, the light receiving optical system or the collection sheet is moved relatively by a distance equivalent to that obtained by adding the distance from the surface of the substrate layer to the position of the focusing marker to the predetermined thickness of the adhesive layer from the focusing position by this autofocusing reference point, the microorganisms or cells on the adhesive layer are automatically focused, and a light is radiated on the focused adhesive layer to measure the image and detect the microorganisms or cells.

Abstract: A method of counting microorganisms or cells in a sample by labeling the microorganisms or cells with a fluorescent labeling reagent, which comprises contacting the sample containing the microorganisms or cells with an adhesive sheet having an adhesive layer laminated on at least one surface of a substrate to capture the sample; before fluorescent-labeling the microorganisms or cells, obtaining a first fluorescent image of the sample; after fluorescent-labeling the microorganisms or the cells, obtaining a second fluorescent image of the sample, and then determining the difference in the number of luminous points between the first and second images, or determining a differential image between the first and second images and determining the number of luminous points in this differential image, or determining the number of luminous points among the luminous points in the second image located outside non-sensitive regions attached to the individual luminous points in the first image.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive sheet and a kit for microbial testing, which enable monitoring of the presence of a microorganism and/or the cell count thereof on a solid surface conveniently on a real time basis, and which accommodate to automated focusing during image analysis. The present invention relates to an adhesive sheet for microbial testing having at least a substrate and an adhesive layer, which adhesive layer is compression-bonded to, and peeled from, the surface of a test article to collect microorganisms, and the surface of the adhesive layer is then subjected to image analysis, wherein a marker for focusing the image is provided in the substrate, or in the adhesive layer, or on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive sheet for the detection of microorganisms, which comprises a laminate of an adhesive layer mainly composed of a water-soluble polymer and a water-permeable membrane which does not allow passage of the microorganisms; a pressure sensitive adhesive sheet for the detection of microorganisms, wherein the surface of the adhesive layer has a contact angle with water of not more than 90°; and a method for detecting a microorganism, which comprises bringing the surface of an adhesive layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive sheet into contact with the surface of a test object, and then bringing the surface of the adhesive layer into contact with water, said adhesive layer or water containing a chromogenic reagent. The use of the laminate makes it possible to leave only stained microorganisms on the water-permeable membrane and to precisely observe the color developed by the microorganisms.