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Preliminary evaluation of Biolog, a carbon source utilization method for bacterial identification
1Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|June 1, 1991
Summary
The Biolog Identification System offers a novel approach to bacterial identification by analyzing carbon source utilization. This preliminary study found it to be a versatile and user-friendly tool for identifying Enterobacteriaceae and other gram-negative bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Bacterial Identification
Background:
- The Biolog Identification System utilizes electron exchange during respiration for bacterial identification.
- It assesses microbial oxidation of 95 carbon sources, resulting in a tetrazolium-based color change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To preliminarily investigate the accuracy of the Biolog system in identifying clinically relevant Enterobacteriaceae and gram-negative non-Enterobacteriaceae.
- To evaluate the system's performance at different time points (4h and 24h).
Main Methods:
- The Biolog system, with its computer-driven enzyme immunoassay reader, was used to test a diverse group of bacteria.
- A panel of 95 carbon sources was employed to assess microbial respiration and metabolic activity.
Main Results:
- The Biolog system provided identifications for 75.6% of 352 tested organisms.
- At 24 hours, 87.3% of reported identifications were correct at the genus level and 75.6% at the species level.
- Species-level accuracy was 46.6% at 4 hours and 57.1% at 24 hours, with an error rate below 10.4%.
Conclusions:
- The Biolog Identification System is a versatile and easy-to-use method for bacterial identification.
- While performing well with many genera, challenges were noted with specific strains of Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia.