Evaluation of the Performance of New PhoenixTM Automated Microbiology System on Gram-Negative Rods

METHODS: 302 gram-negative rods were tested, including 225 Enterobacteriaceae and 77 strains of Pseudomonas/Others spp.; 192 strains were fresh clinical isolates and 110 were challenge strains. The results of the ID were compared to routine laboratory methods, such as Vitek 1 (bioMérieux, Saint Louis, USA), ATB (bioMérieux, Lyon, France) and AutoSceptor (BDDS). Discrepant ID results were repeated in duplicate and remaining discrepant isolates were sent to the BDDS Lab. The AST were performed according to NCCLS recommendations and the results were compared to the NCCLS recommended standard broth micro-dilution method. Several drug-classes/drugs were evaluated: 5-Fluoroquinolone (9 drugs), Aminoglycoside (5), Penicillin (4), Beta-lactam/beta-lactamases inhibitor (3), Carbapenems (2), Cephem (17), Folate antagonist (2), Aztreonam, Chlorampenicol, Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid, Tetracycline. Discrepant AST results were repeated in duplicate. Data were evaluated as defined by the NCCLS rules for essential agreement (EA), category agreement (CA), very major error (VME), major error (ME), and minor error (MIE) rates.