Evaluation of the AnIdent system for the identification of anaerobic bacteria

AnIdent is a new 4-hr system for the identification of anaerobic bacteria that depends upon detection of a unique set of preformed enzymes. A single AnIdent test speciated 76% of 333 anaerobes (89% agreement with a conventional system used at the Mayo Anaerobe Laboratory) without any repeat or supplemental testing (level 1). Additional testing increased the identification rate to 93% (level 2). We conclude that AnIdent is a reliable method for identifying clinically significant anaerobes which only occasionally requires the use of a small number of simple supplemental tests and avoids the necessity for performing gas-liquid chromatography.