Evaluation of rapid SYS system as screen for Yersinia enterocolitica in the United States

Abstract

Clinical isolates (n = 150) from stool specimens were selected for evaluation of the Rapid SYS system (Analytab Products, Plainview, N.Y.) as a screening test for Shigella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Salmonella spp. The Gram-Negative Identification Card (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) was used for identification. Although acceptable performance of the Rapid SYS system was described, the interpretative criteria provided by the vendor for previous studies led to inappropriate screening for Y. enterocolitica, particularly biotype 1. When corrected screening criteria were used for the present study, the sensitivity for the detection of 76 enteric pathogens was 98.7%. Of the 76 pathogens, l of 21 Shigella spp. was not detected.