Methods for the routine characterisation of isolates of Haemophilus

Methods and their evaluation are described for the routine characterisation of Haemophilus spp isolates using a test for dependence on V factor and a test for the conversion of delta-amino-laevulinic acid (ALA) to porphyrin in which the ALA is incorporated into a solid medium. A method is also described whereby the difference in the size of the inhibition zones around discs of ampicillin and of amoxycillin/clavulanate can be used to detect the production of beta-lactamase.