[Rapid screening of urine cultures with a semi-automatic instrument (author's transl)]

The research carried out indicates that by applying an Autobac (Pfizer) system of semi-automatic reading to urine culture, it is possible to screen in 5 h about 70% of the specimens, which represent about 30-50% of the work of the microbiology section. The system experimented by us presents good correlation with a rapid system (Urotube), and can allow a saving in experimental costs. The growth of germs from infected urine in the chambers of the cuvette containing Eugonic broth, requires time comparable to that of the growth curve of inoculations of germs known as "colony-forming unit"/ml (CFU/ml). The results, read hourly during the incubation period with a calibration method, were plotted placing time of incubation in relation to the delta E of the voltage. The majority of the specimens with CFU/ml greater than or equal to 5 x 10(4) are revealed within 5 h, those with CFU/ml greater than or equal to 10(4) within 6 h, while the negative tests do not show any growth after 6 h.