Antibiotic-disc tests for rapid identification of non-sporing anaerobes.

The sensitivity patterns to a number of antibiotic-impregnated discs of 126 strains of Gram-negative anaerobes and 36 strains of Gram-positive non-sporing anaerobes from various sources have been examined. The sensitivity patterns shown by Bacteroids fragilis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus were useful for the rapid identification of these organisms. Consistent and useful sensitivity patterns were not shown by the Gram-positive anaerobes.