MORLUC numeric system for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae.

Foul hundred eighty-six members of the Enterobacteriaceae representing nine genera were identified by conventional methods, and the results were compared with MORLUC (Biotrol Company Inc., Jamaica, N.Y.). MORLUC, an acronym for melibiose, ONPG (o-nitrophenyl-beta-galactopyranoside), rhamnose, lysine decarboxylase, urease, and citrate, are six prepackaged reagent-impregnated paper loops which are sealed within a plastic packet. The hydrogen sulfide reaction obtained from a triple sugar iron slant is coupled with MORLUC results and is readily converted into a three-digit numerical code, which is referenced on a preprinted single page listing. Additionally, the triple sugar iron is used to confirm the glucose fermentation by an unknown isolate. Comparisons of individual MORLUC tests and standard methods results in a better than 92% agreement, except for unrease. Four hundred sixty-six of the 486 bacterial isolates, or 96% of the strains which were numerically identified by MORLUC, agreed with conventional diagnoses.