[Comparative evaluation of commercial test systems for the identification of gram-negative bacteria]

Diagnostic efficiency of 5 test-systems i.e. Enterotube 11, Oxi-Ferm Tube, API 20E, API 20NE and MS-2 BID was estimated comparatively with using collection and clinical strains of enteric bacteria and nonfermenting organisms. The accuracy of the enteric bacteria identification as compared to that with the use of the routine methods was more than 90 per cent. The diagnostic mistakes were more frequent with species differentiation of Klebsiella and Enterobacter. In the studies with nonfermenting bacteria the results were less stable and statistically significant differences in identification of separate strains were stated. Advantages and disadvantages of various test-systems are discussed.