Code books contain an organized list of combinations of( +/-) results of individual tests expressed in the form of numeric values – so called profiles. Profiles are arranged in the ascending order according to their numeric value. This system enables rapid orientation in the code book. Even results containing one or two atypical tests for an identified bacterial type can be evaluated correctly.

Each profile in the list provides the following data:

• percentage of identification (% id) an estimate saying how closely the profile corresponds to a taxon relative to the other taxa in the data base
• the T-index (Tin) an estimate expresing how closely the profile corresponds to the most typical set of reactions for each taxon. Its value varies between 0 and 1 and is inversely proportional to the number of atypical tests
• the list of the tests against (T.against) – for the first listed taxon, if any, followed by the percentage of positive reactions
• comment, created on the base of the values %id and Tin, defining the level of identification reliability

Code book can be downloaded from our website: www.erbalachema.com/codebook

Profile calculation: Example of profile 371 calculation: Separate test results of the strain tested into groups of three. To each positive test in the group of three, assign the following value of:

• 1 to the 1st test
• 2 to the 2nd tes
• 4 to the 3rd test

Negative test: assign 0 (zero) to all negative test results: