The identification of mycobacteria from solid media and directly from VersaTREK Myco bottles using the Sherlock Mycobacteria Identification HPLC system

ABSTRACTThe Sherlock Mycobacteria Identification HPLC system correctly identified to the species level 61 (67.8%) of 90 isolates growing on solid media, and 73 (45.3%) of 161 isolates directly from positive VersaTREK Myco bottles. When these data were re-analysed with a revised database, correct identifications increased to 91.1% and 83.2%, respectively. All Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were identified correctly, regardless of the inoculum source or database used. The use of the revised database with isolates obtained directly from positive VersaTREK Myco bottles allows the identification of most isolates within clinically relevant time-frames.