Automated identification of gram-positive bacteria.

A total of 451 strains of gram-positive bacteria were identified with a prototype of the Gram-Positive Identification card used in conjunction with the AutoMicrobic system (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.). Of the species that the Gram-Positive Identification card is capable of identifying, 85% of staphylococcal, 50% of beta-hemolytic group A, B, C, F, and G streptococcal, 91% of group D streptococcal, 100% of pneumococcal, 63% of viridans streptococcal, and 100% of Listeria monocytogenes strains tested displayed Gram-Positive Identification card identifications that were in agreement with identifications obtained by conventional methods.