Comparison of the MicroScan, VITEK 2, and Crystal GP with 16S rRNA sequencing and MicroSeq 500 v2.0 analysis for coagulase-negative Staphylococci.
BACKGROUND
Three phenotypic identification systems (MicroScan, VITEK 2, and Crystal GP) were evaluated for their accuracy to identify coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). A total of 120 clinical isolates confirmed to be CNS via 16S rRNA sequencing and analysis with the MicroSeq 500 v2.0 database were assessed.


RESULTS
The MicroScan, VITEK 2, and Crystal GP systems correctly identified 82.5%, 87.5%, and 67.5% of the isolates, respectively. Misidentification was the main problem in MicroScan (10.8%) and Crystal GP (23.3%) systems, whereas the main problem of VITEK 2 was low-level discrimination (7.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
None of the 3 phenotypic systems tested could accurately and reliably identify CNS at the species level. Further verifications such as biochemical testing or 16S rRNA sequencing together with analysis using a comparable database might be helpful in this regard.
Kim
Miyoung
M
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehang-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. rabbit790622@gmail.com
Heo
Se Ran
SR
Choi
Soon Hee
SH
Kwon
Hyelin
H
Park
Jeong Su
JS
Seong
Moon-Woo
MW
Lee
Do-Hoon
DH
Park
Kyoung Un
KU
Song
Junghan
J
Kim
Eui-Chong
EC
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D003030:Coagulase / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D003030:Coagulase; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S