Evaluation of the BBL Crystal Anaerobe identification system

Abstract

The BBL Crystal Anaerobe (ANR) identification system was evaluated, and the results were compared with those from conventional anaerobic methods. We tested 322 clinically significant anaerobic bacteria according to the manufacturer's instructions. The system identified correctly 286 of 322 (88.8%) of the anaerobic bacteria tested. Of these, 263 of 322 (81.7%) were identified correctly on initial testing and 49 were identified correctly only to the genus level; on repeat testing, 23 of 49 (46.9%) were identified correctly to both the genus and the species levels. A total of 26 (8.5%) were misidentified at the species level, and 10 (3.1%) were not identified. Performance characteristics for individual strains varied. The system correctly identified all tested strains of Campylobacter,

PCR Assay for Species-Specific Identification of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron

“…For final identification, it was necessary to perform additional tests (production of acid from arabinose, trehalose, and xylane) to discriminate between B. fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. ovatus, and B. uniformis. It has been reported that misidentification of most Bacteroides species often involves B. thetaiotaomicron (2,3). For such isolates, up to 48 h can be required for further identification assays.…”

“…Species identification often requires 3 to 7 days and sometimes is inconclusive (19). The automated methods currently used are sometimes unreliable at identifying B. thetaiotaomicron clinical isolates or other species (2,3). The phenotypic and biochemical similarity of closely related species makes it difficult to discriminate them.…”

Rapid identification of the species of theBacteroides fragilisgroup by multiplex PCR assays using group- and species-specific primers

“…These are time‐consuming, and it may be difficult to differentiate Bacteroides species with them [8,9]. Automated methods currently used are also unreliable for identifying isolates of the B. fragilis group [10,11]. Incorrect identification of strains of the B. fragilis group may result in inappropriate antibiotic therapy.…”