Comparison of 2 systems for identifying nonfermenting or fermenting oxidase-positive gram-negative bacilli

The N/F FLOW and API 20 NE identification systems were compared for their ability to identify 182 strains of either non-fermentative or fermentative oxidase-positive gram-negative bacilli. Agreement with the identification given by conventional methods was achieved for 91,7 per cent of strains by the API System but for only 81,9 per cent of strains by the N/F System. Complementary tests were needed to identify 35,4 per cent of strains using the API System but 65,2 per cent using the N/F System.