Comparison of the ATB 32A system and the Vitek ANI card in the identification of anaerobic bacteria

The ATB 32A system (BioMerieux, France) and the ANI card (AutoMicrobic System, Vitek System Inc., U.S.A.) were evaluated for their reliability in identifying 54 Gram-negative bacilli, 22 Gram-positive cocci and 24 Gram-positive bacilli, isolated from clinical specimens. Four reference anaerobic strains were included and correctly identified. The ATB 32A system correctly identified 64% and the ANI card 50% of the anaerobes. Correct identification to genus level was achieved by the ATB 32A kit in 18% and by the Vitek system in 14% of strains. The ATB 32A system did not identify to the genus level in 18% and the ANI card in 36% of the anaerobes. Significant differences were not found between the results of the two systems. In the ATB 32A system the subjective factor was eliminated by using the automated reader included in the kit. The ATB 32A system did identify, both the genus and species of the anaerobes, in a greater number of cases. No noteworthy differences were encountered when the results of the two systems were evaluated