Final answer:
The direct microscopic cell count using a Petroff-Hausser chamber represents a rapid, cheap method for detecting bacteria that requires no culture, but is more prone to errors, especially with abnormal concentrations of bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
A method of detecting bacteria that is quick, cheap, and requires no incubation, with a likelihood of higher error rates, could refer to something like the direct microscopic cell count. This method utilizes a calibrated slide, such as a Petroff-Hausser chamber, to count bacteria under a light microscope. No culture is required, making it faster as there is no need for bacteria to grow before counting. However, this method can have limitations in accuracy, especially if the concentration of bacteria is either too high, which could lead to overlaps and miscounting, or too low, making it hard to find enough cells to count.
The direct microscopic cell count method is one alternative to more accurate but slower culture-based methods, such as plating samples on differential and selective culture media. Culture-based methods, while more time-consuming, offer higher specificity and sensitivity. Unlike the streak plate method, which isolates a single type of bacteria and allows for the growth of colonies for further analysis, the direct microscopic cell count cannot differentiate between live and dead cells and is subject to possible errors due to concentration issues.
Thus, while faster and less resource-intensive, the direct microscopic cell count may not be the best choice when the highest accuracy is required, due to the potential for a high error rate.