Definitive identification methods: antibiotic sensitivity and microtube system.

The definite identification of species and subspecies of an anaerobe implies certain difficulties, such as the poor and slow fermentation of carbohydrates under anaerobic conditions and the fact of having many keys in common. As a result several tests are required and as the number of tests increases the chances of error and the number of variables also increase. Hence specific methods have been developed in order to try and obtain satisfactory results. The A. refers his experience and judgement on V.P.I. and A.P.I. and on identification based upon antibiotic sensitivity spectrum. When properly used, such techniques enable the species and subspecies of non-sporing anaerobes to be more easily identified.