Bacterial Identification API Kits
Bacterial Identification API Kits
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1 Aim
To identify bacterial isolates using commercial biochemical test kits (bioMerieux API).
2 Principle
API test strips consists of microtubes (cupules) containing dehydrated substrates to detect the
enzymatic activity or the assimilation / fermentation of sugars by the inoculated organisms. During
incubation, metabolism produces colour changes that are either spontaneous or revealed by the
addition of reagents. When the carbohydrates are fermented, the pH within the cupule changes
and is shown by an indicator. Assimilation tests are inoculated with a minimal medium (API AUX
medium) and the bacteria grow if they are able to utilize the corresponding substrate: a positive
result is indicated by growth. Test results are entered into an online database to determine the
bacterial identity.
Following presumptive organism identification using Grams stain, morphological features and other
simple tests, the appropriate API kit should be selected using the table below.
Presumptive Organism ID Which API strip to Additional notes
use
Gram negative bacillus
Oxidase positive Stenotrophomonas&Acinetobacter spp.
API 20 NE (oxidase negative) may also be identified
Non-fastidious
using API 20E.
Non-Enterobacteriaceae
Gram negative bacillus
Oxidase negative Vibrio spp. and Aeromonas spp. (oxidase
API 20 E positive) may also be identified using API
Enterobacteriaceae & other 20NE.
non-fastidious GNB
Gram positive cocci
Pairs or chains Streptococcus pneumoniae and groupable
Catalase negative API 20 Strep beta-haemolytic streptococci do not usually
Streptococci, Enterococci& require API testing.
related genera
Gram negative cocci in pairs Moraxella catarrhalis can be adequately
Pleomorphic nutritionally demanding identified using the trybutyrin test if isolated
Gram negative bacilli or coccobacilli API NH from a non-sterile site.
(e.g. Neisseria, Haemophilus, Haemophilus influenzae can be adequately
Moraxella) identified by XV-factor dependent growth.
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3 Method
The following are summaries from the kit inserts present in each box: refer to these inserts for
further details if required.
API strips should only be used to identify pure cultures of an unknown organism. Confirm Gram
stain (plus catalase and oxidase if appropriate) before inoculating a test strip. Inoculation of the
incorrect strip can result in misidentification.
3.1 General
3.1.1 Inoculation
This section applies to all APIs. Differences between each type of strip are described under the
appropriate heading.
1. Label the API carrier tray with specimen number and date.
2. Put 5ml of sterile distilled water into the tray to provide a moist atmosphere which prevent
drying of the strip.
3. Lay the strip in the tray.
4. Open an ampoule of suspension medium if required:
a. Insert the base of the ampoule into the protective plastic guard.
b. Hold the ampoule vertically in one hand with the white plastic cap uppermost.
c. Press the cap down as far as possible.
d. Apply thumb pressure in an outward direction to the flattened part of the cap to
snap off the top of the ampoule inside the cap.
e. Carefully remove the cap and discard it.
5. Make a suspension of the organism and inoculate the wells as described in the section for
the type of strip used. The structure of the wells is as follows:
Tube Cupule
6. Tilt the strip slightly to help the inoculum to run into the tube. Avoid the tendency to trap air,
which is most likely if the tubes are filled too rapidly, by carefully allowing the inoculum to
run down inside one edge of the tube. The wells are of several types, and must be filled as
shown in the diagrams:
a. Those requiring filling of only the tube, denoted by a plain test name, e.g.: GLU
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b. Those requiring filling of both tube and cupule, denoted by a border round the test
name, e.g.: GEL
c. Those requiring filling of the tube, which is then overlaid with liquid paraffin,
denoted by a line under the test name, e.g.: URE
Liquidparaffin
7. For strips that are to be incubated overnight or longer, inoculate a purity plate from the
organism suspension, using a non-selective medium appropriate for the type of organism.
8. Put the lid on the tray and incubate it for the prescribed time under the appropriate
condition
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c. Add up the scores for the positive wells only in each triplet. Supplementary tests,
e.g.: oxidase may also be included in the profile. The highest score possible for a
triplet is 7 (the sum of 1, 2 and 4) and the lowest is 0, e.g.:
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3.1.3 Disposal
11. After reading the API strip, place the carrier and contents into the autoclave bag in the
plastic discard bin.
3.2 API 20E
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Well Reagent
TDA One drop of TDA reagent
IND One drop of James reagent
VP One drop of VP1 then one drop of VP2
Also perform an oxidase on the purity plate
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7. The tests on the strip plus oxidase are used to determine the first seven digits of the
profile number. This is usually sufficient to determine the identity using apiweb software,
but supplementary tests can be used to determine a further two digits if required (see kit
insert).
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9. Examine the assimilation tests for bacterial growth. An OPAQUE cupule indicates a
POSITIVE REACTION. Occasionally, a cupule may show weak growth. In this case the
results should be noted as +/- or -/+ by comparison to other tests on the strip. Once these
readings have been made, identification should be possible.
10. Read the results from the following table:
TEST REACTION NEGATIVE POSITIVE
NO3NO2 Reduction of potassium nitrate Colourless Red (NIT1+NIT2)
NO2N2 Red/pink Colourless (Zn)
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11. Construct the numerical profile and look up the number using apiweb
a. In the following cases, the strip must be reincubated:
i. Low discrimation, unacceptable or doubtful profile on apiweb.
ii. If the following note is added to profile obtained from apiweb:
IDENTIFICATION NOT VALID BEFORE 48 HOURS INCUBATION.
b. In these events, immediately remove the contents of the NO 3 and TRP wells using
a pipette and fill with mineral oil so that a convex meniscus is formed, to prevent
escape of acidic vapour. Reincubate the strip at 29C (+/- 2C)for a further 18-24
hours and read all the tests once more excepting NO 3, TRP and GLU which must
be read once only, at 18-24 hours.
c. Reread the tests and construct a new profile.
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3.4 API NH
Unlike API 20E/20NE/Strep, API NH relies on detection of preformed enzymes (not growth).
Important: suspensions of suspected N. meningitidis must be prepared in the BSLII safety cabinet
1. Using a swab make a heavy suspension (McFarland 4) of the organism in 2ml of 0.85%
sterile saline provided with the kit.
2. Into wells PEN to URE dispense about 50 l of this suspension. Fill the tube and cupule of
the last 3 tubes (LIP/ProA, PAL/GGT, BGAL/IND).
3. Cover the first seven tests with mineral oil.
4. Incubate the strip in air at 36C (+/- 2C) for 2 hours.
5. Before adding any reagents record the primary results using the table below.
6. Add the reagents as follows:
Note: ZYM B is very light sensitive and loses activity within a few days of opening. Check
that the date the ampoule was opened is within the last two weeks. If you start a new ampoule,
write the date on the bottle.
Well Reagent
Wells 8 & 9 One drop of ZYM B
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7. Wait three minutes and read the results from the following table:
TEST REACTION NEGATIVE POSITIVE
PEN Penicillinase production Blue Yellow
GLU Glucose Red Yellow/orange
FRU Fructose Red Yellow/orange
MAL Maltose Red Yellow/orange
SAC Saccharose Red Yellow
ODC Ornithine decarboxylase Yellow Blue
URE Urease Yellow Pink/violet
LIP Lipase Colourless Blue (+ precipitate)
PAL Alkaline phosphatase Colourless Yellow
GAL Galactosidase Colourless Yellow
8. Construct a four digit profile from the results as described above, ignoring the PEN result
and starting with the GLU, FRU, MAL triplet. The third digit is derived from the upper three
tests in the bifunctional wells and the fourth from the lower three.
9. Determine the organism identity using apiweb.
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The heavy density of the inoculum allows detection of preformed enzymes in some tests, allowing
identification within 4 hours.
1. Subculture a single colony of the organism to be tested onto sheep blood agar and
incubate for 24 or 48 hours until sufficient growth is obtained. Note the type of haemolysis.
2. Make a heavy (McFarland 4) suspension of the test organism in 2ml sterile distilled water.
3. Prepare the test strip as described above.
4. Using this suspension, inoculate VP to LAP with 100l suspension, and fill the tube portion
only of the ADH.
5. Open an API Strep Medium ampoule (provided with the kit) and transfer about 0.5 ml of
the suspension to it. Use the pipette to mix well without creating bubbles.
6. Distribute this into the remaining tests (Rib to GLYG).
7. Overlay wells with liquid paraffin where indicated.
8. Incubate in air at 36C (+/- 2C) for 4 hours to obtain the initial profile.
9. Add the reagents as follows:
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Note: ZYM B is very light sensitive and loses activity within a few days of opening. Check that
the date the ampoule was opened is within the last two weeks. If you start a new ampoule, write
the date on the bottle.
Well Reagent
VP One drop of VP1 and one drop of VP2 and wait 10 minutes.
HIP One drop of NIN and read after 10 minutes
PYRA to One drop of ZYM A followed by one drop of ZYM B and read after ten minutes.
LAP If necessary decolourise with intense light.
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11. Construct the numerical profile and look up the number using apiweb:
a. In the following cases, the strip must be reincubated overnight:
i. If the profile cannot be found in apiweb.
ii. If the following note is printed for the profile obtained: IDENTIFICATION
NOT VALID BEFORE 24 HOURS INCUBATION.
b. After 24hrs incubation, reread ESC, ADH and RIB to GLYG then construct a new
profile.
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4 Quality assurance
No specific procedures required, aside from using the kits as described above and in the
manufacturers manuals (kit inserts).
5 Limitations
API kits should only be used to identify organisms as specified in this SOP or the relevant kit insert.
Inoculation of an organism with inappropriate presumptive identification test results may result in
an incorrect result.
If an unexpected / no result is obtained, it is important to recheck basic tests such as Gram result,
catalase, oxidase, and ensure that the purity plate is satisfactory. Repeat the test with a pure
culture if the purity indicates a mixture.
6 References
1. bioMerieux API kit inserts (20 100 (API 20E); 20 050 (API 20NE); 10 400 (API NH); 20 600
(API 20 Strep)).
2. Procedure for the use of API Strips. Whittington Hospital SOP MB/040.04 (2005).
3. Which API to use. LOMWRU SOP BIP 005-01 (2012).
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API 20E
Negative
Positive
API 20NE
Negative
Positive
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API NH
Negative
Positive
API 20 Strep
Negative
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Positive
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8 Risk assessment
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