Abstract
A total of 908 distinct clinical isolates and 60 reference strains of aerobic gram-negative bacilli were identified by our own in-house biochemical identification system (RHH) and by a commercial automated system (Mastascan Colour). Overall, both systems performed well in the identification of routine isolates of aerobic gram-negative bacilli, with only six discrepancies between the two systems. These six organisms were species infrequently encountered in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Of the 60 reference strains, many of which were biochemically atypical, the RHH system was unable to identify one and mis-identified two others. The commercial system was unable to identify one strain and misidentified five others. Both systems were inexpensive in terms of consumable materials, and the commercial system was compatible with the routine work of the department.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bennett CHN, Joynson DHM Kit systems for identifying Gram-negative aerobic bacilli: report of the Welsh Standing Specialist Advisory Working Group in Microbiology. Journal of Clinical Pathology 1986, 39: 666–671.
Chadwick P, Delisle GJ, Byer M Biochemical identification of hospital enterobacteria by replica agar plating. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 1974, 20: 1653–1664.
Fuchs PC The replicator method for identification and biotyping of common bacterial isolates. Laboratory Medicine 1975, 6: 6–11.
Burman LG, Ostensson R Time- and media-saving testing and identification of microorganisms by multipoint inoculation on undivided agar plates. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1978, 8: 219–227.
Pease AA Biochemical identification of theEnterobacteriaceae using a multipoint inoculation system. Medical Laboratory Sciences 1983, 40: 349–353.
Funnell GR, Parkinson DL, Bradbury R Biochemical identification ofEnterobacteriaceae by multipoint inoculation using Mast ID media. Australian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science 1986, 7: 75–77.
Clayton P, Feltham RKA, Mitchell CJ, Sneath PHA Constructing a database for low cost identification of gram negative rods in clinical laboratories. Journal of Clinical Pathology 1986, 39: 798–802.
Pease AA, Wheat PF, Harris DM Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and biochemical identification using multipoint inoculation: 5 years' experience. Medical Laboratory Sciences 1988, 15: 28–33.
Holmes B, Dawson CA Evaluation of Mast ID 15 system for identifyingEnterobacteriaceae, someVibrionaceae, andAcinetobacter. Journal of Clinical Pathology 1987, 40: 1168–1173.
Farmer JJ, Davis BR, Hickman-Brenner FW, McWhorter A, Huntley-Carter GP, Asbury MA, Riddle C, Wathen-Grady HG, Elias C, Fanning GR, Steigerwalt AG, O'Hara CM, Morris GK, Smith PB, Brenner DJ Biochemical identification of new species and biogroups ofEnterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical specimens. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1985, 21: 46–76.
Stevens M Automated bacterial identification. Laboratory Practice 1984, 33: 71–76.
Moller V Simplified tests for some amino acid decarboxylases and for the arginine dihydrolase system. Acta Pathologica Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica 1955, 36: 158–172.
Wheat PF, Pease AA Identification ofEnterobacteriaceae: report of the British Society for Multipoint Technology collaborative study. Medical Laboratory Sciences 1989, 46: 179–185.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Limb, D.I., Wheat, P.F. Evaluation of a commercial automated system for the identification of gram-negative enteric bacilli. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 10, 749–752 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972502
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972502