Analysis of cost and accuracy of alternative strategies for Enterobacteriaceae identification

Abstract

Analysis of the cost of time and material required for the diagnosis of Enterobacteriaceae isolates indicated that a conventional 17-tube (20-test) setup costs $7.98/isolate identified. Using the API 20E, a similar identification cost $3.02. A conventional 7-tube (10-test) setup cost $3.60; the comparable API 10S cost $2.33. Compared with the API 10S, using the API 20E increased costs by 30% while increasing the number of isolates identified correctly by 3%. Other strategies using the API 10S in combination with the API 20E or a DNase test were also evaluated for cost and accuracy.