Alternative procedures for identification of anaerobic bacteria

Recognizing the need for practical inexpensive procedures which allow identification of anaerobes commonly encountered in clinical laboratories, a number of investigators have in recent years proposed various alternatives to the expensive, time-consuming techniques presently recommended by reference anaerobe laboratories. Some of these techniques are potentially good alternatives. In this paper we review some of the more promising approaches and present a detailed description of two commercial microbiochemical systems for characterization of anaerobes. When used in conjunction with other available tests, the microsystems are useful and convenient methods for identification of anaerobic bacteria at a reasonable cost.