OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of the API20E bacteria identification system at a teaching hospital in Kenya. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: The microbiology laboratoryoratory of the Aga Khan University teaching Hospital. SUBJECTS: One thousand six hundred and fifty eight API20E records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The accuracy in identifying the bacteria species. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred and forty two (87.6%) isolates had the exact identity, 199 (12%) nearest identity, and seven (0.4%) no identity. The performance varied among the species; Acinetobacter baumanii had 140 (99.3%) isolates with the exact identity and only one (0.7%) with the nearest identity compared with Aeromonas hydrophila which had five (17.2%) with exact and 24 (82.8%) with nearest. CONCLUSIONS: The API20E system is a robust bacteria identification method which can serve small and medium clinical microbiology laboratories that may not afford automated systems. Adhering to the manufacturer's instructions and good.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of the API20E bacteria identification system at a teaching hospital in Kenya. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: The microbiology laboratoryoratory of the Aga Khan University teaching Hospital. SUBJECTS: One thousand six hundred and fifty eight API20E records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The accuracy in identifying the bacteria species. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred and forty two (87.6%) isolates had the exact identity, 199 (12%) nearest identity, and seven (0.4%) no identity. The performance varied among the species; Acinetobacter baumanii had 140 (99.3%) isolates with the exact identity and only one (0.7%) with the nearest identity compared with Aeromonas hydrophila which had five (17.2%) with exact and 24 (82.8%) with nearest. CONCLUSIONS: The API20E system is a robust bacteria identification method which can serve small and medium clinical microbiology laboratories that may not afford automated systems. Adhering to the manufacturer's instructions and good.