Pperformance of the Api 20 strep bacterial identification system in the identification of streptococci in laboratory

Abstract

Background: The exact identification of a bacterial species by a test in a microbiology laboratory is very important to properly adapt the antibiotic treatment directed against germs.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Api 20 Strep bacterial identification system in the identification of streptococci in laboratory.
Methods: This is an evaluative study of the Api 20 Strep bacterial identification system from 22 isolates of streptococci over a period of 3 months from January 2022 to March 2022 at the University Hospital Center Laboratory Joseph Raseta Befelatanana.
Results: Concerning the bacteria identified, isolates of group D streptococci were the most numerous representing 81.9% of cases. The group D streptococci were represented by 10 cases (45.5%) of Enterococcus faecium and 8 cases (36.4%) of Enterococcus faecalis. For the results of the Api 20 Strep bacterial identification system, the identification qualities were excellent for all of cases. Regarding the probability scores revealed by the Api software, they varied between 82% and 100%. Probability scores of 96.1% and 97% were the most numerous accounting for 22.7% and 18.2% of cases respectively.
Conclusion: The Api 20 Strep bacterial identification system is a reliable test and can be used by all bacteriology laboratories without any risk of identification error.