Counting Borrelia

[Jay and Nancy Mone]

I am interested in quantifying Borrelia burgdorferi in preparation for 
quantitative PCR.  The problem is I can't see them on a hemoacytometer, 
even using phase contrast, so I can't count them.  I tried to solidify 
the media (I by it pre-made) using agarose and gelatin to attempt colony 
counts, but can't get the concentrations high enough without 
significantly diluting the media.  Any suggestions?

Jay Mone'