Patent ID: 8221975

Claim:
A method of detecting live cells by distinguishing the live cells from dead cells and also from injured cells of a microorganism in a test sample comprising the steps of: a) adding a cross-linker capable of cross-linking a DNA 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-linker is added with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm; c) removing the cross-linker contained in the test sample irradiated with light; d) adding a medium to the test sample from which the cross-linker is removed and proliferating live cells by culture with incubation of the test sample; e) adding again the cross-linker capable of cross-linking a DNA by irradiation with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm to the incubated test sample; f) irradiating the test sample to which the cross-linker is added with light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 700 nm; g) extracting a DNA from the test sample and amplifying a target region of the extracted DNA by a nucleic acid amplification method; and h) analyzing the amplified product.