Rapid detection of small numbers of airborne bacteria by a membrane filter fluorescent-antibody technique.

Bacteria from stirred settling aerosols were recovered and identified by a rapid fluorescent-antibody technique previously described by Danielsson. Calibrated air samples from Serratia marcescens aerosols were drawn through a Millipore aerosol filter holder fitted out with a nonfluorescent membrane filter (type HAB 047). With the aid of a high-power incident-light ultraviolet microscope, the individual bacterial cells, trapped on the filter, could be inspected after staining with appropriate conjugate on the filter surface.