title: Evaluation of Minitec and API as rapid diagnostic methods for anaerobic bacteria.
abstract: The performance of the miniaturized biochemical differentiation systems API 20 anaerobe System and Minitek was compared with pH reactions in PRAS media of 58 anaerobic or capno-aerophilic bacterial strains from recent clinical specimens. The overall correlation of the Minitek reactions was 87% and of the API reactions 85%. The reactions of acid formation from carbohydrates was slightly higher for Minitek. This resulted in a correct diagnosis in 90% after Minitek and 86% after API. If corrected for 3 strains of Clostridium perfringens for which double haemolysis would have prevented reporting of another diagnosis, 95% of the strains would have been correctly identified by Minitek compared to 91% with API. The errors were mostly due to lack of sensitivity of the reactions of the test kits.
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003470:Culture Media; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012015:Reference Standards
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic