Unusual behaviour of Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis strains on API 20E strips.

Seven Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis standard cultures and two wild isolates were examined for their responses to Api 20E (API System, S.A.) strips. Several strains yield incostant results for arabinose fermentation test in Api strips and, when positive, they were not identified. The arabinose positive test indeed, led to the numerical profiles 0004773 (not mentioned in the analytical catalogue), or 0004553 (two strains) corresponding to a Klebsiella ozaenae identification. The mathematical analysis of the biochemical results confirmed the identity of the strains as K. rhinoscleromatis.