Evaluation of a small "conventional" identification system for fermentative gramnegative rods using a computerized data base.

A small "conventional" identification system consisting of six tubed media totalling eleven reactions was used to identify 467 strains of Enterobacteriaceae, 15 strains of Aeromonas sp., and 3 strains of Plesiomonas shigelloides. The system identified 371 strains (76.5%) correctly to maximum identification (species or genus) level and an additional 13 strains (2.7%) to genus level where species level identification would have been possible. Ninety strains (18.6%) were not identified. Only 11 strains (2.3%) were misidentified. The system is inexpensive compared with commercial systems and can be used for primary identification of fermentative gramnegative bacteria in a clinical microbiology laboratory. It comes with a computerized data base in the form of an identification manual.