Frequently Asked Questions
1. What
is the Supplemental React File program?
2. What
does the message "Good Confidence, Marginal Separation"
mean?
3. What
media can I use with the VITEK test kits?
4. When
I incubate the BAC VITEK test kit at 55°C for thermophilic
bacillus, I get bubbles.
5. Can
I use the results on the VITEK test kit report where off-line
tests are recommended for definitive identificaiton?
6. At
what temperature should I incubate the organisms before identification
in the VITEK?
1.What
is the Supplemental React File program?
The Supplemental React File (SRF) program allows the user to
add organisms to a custom data base that will complement each
test kit. The react files of the SRF program have no impact on
the primary VITEK identification. The SRF program, once developed,
can be used to provide a second status report that lists the closest-fit
organism, as based on the react files entered in the SRF program.
2. What
does the message "Good Confidence, Marginal Separation"
mean?
The biochemical results for the pair of organisms listed on the
report have a good likelihood for the identification of either
species. Additional testing is required for final confirmation
of the identification. Refer to corresponding Technical Bulletin
for each test kit for the recommended off-line tests to be performed.
3. What
media can I use with the VITEK test kits?
Test kits are developed on media specific to each test kit. Not
all media types can be used to grow the isolate for confirmation
of ID. In general, Bacillus should be grown on Tryptic Soy Agar
(TSA), Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms on TSA containing
5% sheep's blood, anaerobic organisms on CDC Anaerobic Agar and
yeasts on Sabourand Dextrose Agar. For additional media that may
be used, please reference the on-line Pinserts of each test kit
for full lists of acceptable media.
4. When
I incubate the BAC VITEK test kit at 55 C for Thermophilic Bacillus,
I get bubbles.
Thermophilic Bacillus identification is performed by incubating
the test kits externally at 55 degrees C. Cards should be placed
in a plastic humid container with an air-tight lid to prevent
bubble formation and tape damage during the off-line incubation.
Placing a wet towel in the plastic container is also advised for
increased humidity.
5.
Can I use the results on the VITEK test kit report where off-line
tests are recommended for definitive identificaiton??
Although most of the tests are miniaturized versions of conventional
tests, the unique environment of the test kits, combined with
the short incubation, may produce results that differ from those
appearing in published material about other methods. Where additional
biochemicals are described for final confirmation, standard off-line
tests are required and should not be interpreted from like tests
on the test kit.
6. At
What temperature
should I incubate the organisms before identification in the VITEK?
The tolerances for an incubator in your laboratory should fall
under your standard operating procedures. However, we recommend
the following tolerances be used for best culture growth for organisms
testing in the VITEK cards. For culture of bacteria, the temperature
tolerances for the incubator should be 35°C to 37°C which
is best defined in the GNI+ Pinsert. For the off-line incubation
of yeast and mold for the YBC test kit, the incubator used in
our QA laboratories is 28°C to 32°C.
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