Easy-to-Use Kits Allow Rapid Identification of Microorganisms

Easy-to-use kits allow the accurate identification of a comprehensive range of microorganisms in just 4 hours, providing a faster and more convenient alternative to other commercially available methods.

The kit, RapID, was shown to perform significantly better than other leading commercially available systems, particularly in the identification of clinically significant yeasts and nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli, including Burkholderia cepacia, an important pathogen in cystic fibrosis patients.

The RapID method detects preformed bacterial enzymes and is not dependent on the growth of the organism. This feature allows the panels to be incubated aerobically without the need for oil overlays--resulting in further savings on time and resources.

RapID identification panels have a simple, one-step inoculation procedure. A suspect colony suspension is simply added to the inoculation tray and tipped into the test strip, inoculating each well simultaneously. Each RapID panel has the same simple procedure, allowing users to pick up the method easily without having to remember different procedures for different organism groups.

In one study RapID Yeast Plus performed significantly better than other systems in the identification of Candida krusei, which is an important pathogen of immunocompromised patients. Since this organism has an innate resistance to fluconazole, prompt identification is extremely important for appropriate therapy to be administered quickly.

In trials, the RapID method demonstrated excellent performance in the identification of oxidase negative Enterobacteriaceae, anaerobic bacteria, Gram-negative glucose non-fermenters, Corynebacterium species, yeasts, and streptococci, and related organisms. A new system is now available for the identification of staphylococci and related organisms.

The RapID systems are being offered by Oxoid (Basingstoke, UK). The RapID systems provide rapid, same-day results, compared to alternative methods that require 18-72 hours. In addition, the tests are not automated, thus allowing even smaller routine microbiology laboratories to adopt them easily.

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