Rapid identification of Haemophilus somnus, Histophilus ovis and Actinobacillus seminis using the API ZYM system

The API ZYM system, a commercially-available technique that measures bacterial enzyme activity was used to test 43 isolates identified as H. somnus, H. ovis or A. seminis and 19 from related genera. The enzyme patterns resulting from the API ZYM differentiated H. somnus and H. ovis from A. seminis and related genera but not from each other. An identification scheme based on 9 of the enzymes in the API ZYM and a few simple biochemical tests is proposed for the rapid and reliable identification of these bacteria in a diagnostic bacteriology laboratory.