Comparison of the RIM-H rapid identification kit with conventional tests for the identification of Haemophilus spp.

A commercially available system, the RIM-H system (Austin Biological Laboratories, Austin, Tex.), was evaluated for its ability to rapidly and accurately identify various Haemophilus spp. A total of 110 clinical isolates were tested by both the RIM and conventional identification procedures. The RIM agreed with the standard identification for 100% of the Haemophilus influenzae (76 of 76) and 92.0% of the Haemophilus parainfluenzae (23 of 25) isolates tested. The identifications of Haemophilus parahaemolyticus, Haemophilus aphrophilus, and Haemophilus haemolyticus also correlated with those obtained by conventional methods. The RIM was found to be rapid and easy to use and was considered a suitable alternative to conventional identification procedures.