Evaluation of the VITEK2 BCL card for identification of Bacillus species and other aerobic endosporeformers

Aims: To evaluate the performance of the VITEK2 Bacillus identification card (BCL) for the identification of aerobic endospore-forming bacteria, using fresh isolates and reference strains. Methods and Results: One hundred and nine industrial, environmental and clinical isolates were tested using the BCL card. The card contained 46 substrates for measuring carbon source utilization, enzymatic activities, inhibition by 6 center dot 5% NaCl and resistance to the antibiotics kanamycin, oleandomycin and polymyxin B. Identifications were made after 14 h incubation, using a database allowing identification of 42 species of the genera Aneurinibacillus, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Geobacillus, Paenibacillus and Virgibacillus. The reference identities of all isolates were authenticated by phenotypic methods, with 16S rRNA gene sequencing used to resolve discrepancies. Conclusions: One hundred and one strains (93%) were identified correctly to species level, seven strains (6%) were incorrectly identified, and one strain (1%) remained unidentified. Significance and Impact of the Study: The VITEK2 BCL card provides a major advance in the reliable identification of Bacillus species and members of related genera.