[Evaluation of the Robobact system for processing stool cultures: another step towards automation in the microbiology laboratory].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the Robobact system (DIESSE Diagnostica Senese S.p.A., Italy) for processing stool specimens and to compare it with conventional methodology.


METHODS
A total of 240 stool specimens from outpatients in Madrid (Spain) were studied. The samples were processed simultaneously with both the Robobact system and a conventional method.


RESULTS
Overall, 13 isolates of Campylobacter spp., 12 of Salmonella spp., 4 of Yersinia enterocolitica and 1 of Shigella spp. were obtained. The Robobact method failed to identify 1 of the 13 Campylobacter spp. isolates and 2 of the 12 Salmonella spp. isolates. The single Shigella spp. isolate was detected only by the Robobact system. All the Robobact results were available at 24 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Robobact is a fast, useful tool for microbiological processing of stool specimens.
Alonso-Sanz
Mercedes
M
Laboratorio de Microbiología, C.E.P Carabanchel Area 11, Aguacate 13, 28044 Madrid, Spain. malonso.hdoc@salud.madrid.org
Molina
Laura
L
D001331:Automation; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012760:Shigella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000302:isolation & purification