Evaluation of the API 20E system for identification of nonfermentative Gram-negative bacteria.

The API 20E system for Enterobacteriaceae, recently broadened to include identification of nonfermentative gram-negative bacteria, was evaluated and compared with the conventional method for complete identification of 221 nonfermenters, which were well distributed into 48 species or biotypes and included organisms not listed in the API 20E data base. The results of 16 tests common to both systems were in close agreement. The API 20E system correctly identified 71 (43%) of the 165 organisms included in the API 20E data base. However, almost 90% of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, three species of Pseudomonas, and Bordetella bronchiseptica were correctly identified to species.