Factors affecting the value of a simple biochemical scheme for identifying Enterobacteriaceae: the reproducible...

A biochemical screening scheme on agar media for differentiating Enterobacteriaceae in a hospital laboratory is evaluated. Careful observation of test reactions within the scheme permitted the recognition of 78 biotypic reaction patterns which could contribute to epidemiological surveillance. The limitations of the technique are described and discussed and methods of importance in ensuring the reproducibility of reaction patterns emphasised.