Rapid G+ count and subpopulation assessment of the intestinal bacteria inApodemus sylvaticus andMus musculus by flow cytometry

We report a novel application of calcein-acetomethyl ester in flow cytometry for rapid estimation of the number of G+-bacteria in rodent feces (Apodemus sylvaticus and Mus sp.f. muridae). We also use the combined application of flow cytometry and Syto-13 or Sypro Orange staining to count rapidly the total bacterial population and to describe bacterial subpopulations in the intestine.