Biochemical profiles and serotypes of nosocomial Enterobacter cloacae strains in Northern Norway: biochemical identification problems with commercial test systems.

During a period of 2 years, 118 strains of Enterobacter cloacae were collected consecutively in connection with nosocomial infections in Northern Norway; identified by conventional methods and by the API 20E system. The API 20E profile 3305573 predominated and was present in 73 of 118 strains. Among 96 serotyped strains, 73 were serotypable, 20 nontypable and two polyagglutinable. Predominating serotypes were 3 (29 strains), 8 (21 strains) and 23 (nine strains). When the API 20E profiles of the 118 strains were read in the new ATB (automated computer-assisted) 20E data base system, 97 of 118 (82.2%) strains were identified as E. cloacae. The 118 strains were tested in the new ATB Rapid ID 32E and ATB ID 32E (ATB system, bioMérieux, France) systems. Only 69 of 118 (58.5%) strains were identified as E. cloacae in both systems. The ATB Rapid ID 32E identified 97 of 118 strains (82.2%), and the ATB ID 32E only 80 of 118 strains (67.8%). Among 73 serotypable strains, the ATB Rapid ID 32E identified 79.5% as E. cloacae, while the ATB ID 32E identified only 64.4%. Among 40 serotypable strains with API 20E profile 3305573, all 40 were identified as E. cloacae by the ATB Rapid ID 32E, while only 27 (67.5%) by the ATB ID 32E system. Further improvements may increase the value of biochemical identification of E. cloacae in diagnostic work.