The Bacteria Counting Kit accurately enumerates bacteria by flow cytometry. The kit includes the SYTO™ BC dye, which is also available separately (Cat no. S34855), a high-affinity nucleic acid stain that easily penetrates both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, producing an exceptionally bright green-fluorescent signal. The kit also includes a calibrated suspension of polystyrene microspheres. Signals from both the stained bacteria and the beads are easily detected in the green fluorescence channel and can be distinguished on a plot of forward scatter versus fluorescence. The density of the bacteria in the sample can be determined from the ratio of bacterial signals to microsphere signals in the cytogram.