Comparison of a new commercially prepared porphyrin test and the conventional satellite test for the identification of Haemophilus species that require the X factor

In vitro detection of porphyrin-producing wound bacteria with real-time fluorescence imaging

Aim: Fluorescence imaging can visualize polymicrobial populations in chronic and acute wounds based on porphyrin fluorescence. We investigated the fluorescent properties of specific wound pathogens and the fluorescence detected from bacteria in biofilm. Methods: Utilizing Remel Porphyrin Test Agar, 32 bacterial and four yeast species were examined for red fluorescence under 405 nm violet light illumination. Polymicrobial biofilms, supplemented with δ-aminolevulinic acid, were investigated similarly. Results: A total of 28/32 bacteria, 1/4 yeast species and polymicrobial biofilms produced red fluorescence, in agreement with their known porphyrin production abilities. Conclusion: These results identify common wound pathogens capable of producing porphyrin-specific fluorescence and support clinical observations using fluorescence imaging to detect pathogenic bacteria in chronic wounds.

Comparison of the RIM-H rapid identification kit with conventional tests for the identification of Haemophilus spp

A commercially available system, the RIM-H system (Austin Biological Laboratories, Austin, Tex.), was evaluated for its ability to rapidly and accurately identify various Haemophilus spp. A total of 110 clinical isolates were tested by both the RIM and conventional identification procedures. The RIM agreed with the standard identification for 100% of the Haemophilus influenzae (76 of 76) and 92.0% of the Haemophilus parainfluenzae (23 of 25) isolates tested. The identifications of Haemophilus parahaemolyticus, Haemophilus aphrophilus, and Haemophilus haemolyticus also correlated with those obtained by conventional methods. The RIM was found to be rapid and easy to use and was considered a suitable alternative to conventional identification procedures.