292 strains of non-fermenting Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria were determined by standard methods and tested in a new commercial microidentification-system, the API 20 NE (api Biom?rieux). A total of 282 (= 96,6%) strains were identified conformably; 130 (= 46,1%) after 24 h and 77 (= 27,3%) within 48 h. In 75 (= 26,6%) cases different conventional additional tests for determination to species level were necessary. The reasons for divergent results of 10 strains are discussed. The new microidentification system API 20 NE might be a simple and reliable tool in hand of the skilled medical microbiologist.
Alcaligenes Bacteriological Techniques