B.CAT CONFIRM, a rapid test for confirmation of Branhamella catarrhalis

B.CAT CONFIRM (Scott Laboratories, Inc., Fiskeville, R.I.), a rapid test for detection of tributyrin hydrolysis, was evaluated for its ability to identify strains of Branhamella catarrhalis and to differentiate them from Neisseria species and related species. On initial testing, B.CAT CONFIRM was positive for 65 (96%) of 68 B. catarrhalis strains within 30 min after inoculation. Retesting of the remaining three strains resulted in their correct identification. B.CAT CONFIRM was negative for all Neisseria spp. (130 strains) and for Kingella spp. (3 strains). Two of the three Moraxella spp. were weakly positive in the B.CAT CONFIRM after 60 min, but these reactions were easily distinguishable from the strong reactions of B. catarrhalis strains. This test will be helpful in the clinical laboratory for the rapid identification of B. catarrhalis in clinical specimens.