TABLE 1.

Cost determination of individual tests used in conventional identification of NTM, based on the simultaneous testing of four isolates and one set of test controls^a

Biochemical test	Cost (CAD$)	Slow growers		Rapid growers
		Inert	Active
Arylsulfatase (3 day)	5.35	√	√	√
Arylsulfatase (14 day)	5.35	√	√	√
Tween (5 day)	3.17	√	√	√
Urease	3.17	√	√	√
Nitrate	4.81	√	√	√
68°C catalase	4.49	√	√	√
Semiquantitative Catalase	5.70	√	√	√
Iron uptake	4.88	√	-	√
NaCl	4.89	√	-	√
Growth on MAC	4.58	√	-	√
Citrate	4.43	√	-	√
Tellurite reduction	6.04	√	√	√
Pyrazinamidase (4 day)	5.15	√	√	√
Pyrazinamidase (7 day)	5.15	√	√	√
Beta-glucosidase	4.44	√	-	-
Acid phosphatase	5.29	√	-	-
Amidases
Nicotinamidase	7.35	√	-	-
Acetamidase	4.71	√	-	-
Allantoinase	7.35	√	-	-
Benzamidase	7.35	√	-	-
Succinamidase	7.35	√	-	-
Carbohydrates
Fructose	4.71	√	-	√
Mannitol	4.71	√	-	√
Inositol	4.71	√	-	√
Sorbitol	4.71	√	-	√
Temperatures (°C)
25	3.54	√	√	√
28	3.54	√	√	√
31	3.54	√	√	√
37	3.54	√	√	√
42	3.54	√	√	√
Pigment production
Light at 37°C	3.54	√	√	√
Dark at 37°C	3.54	√	√	√
Purchased tests:
Niacin	7.80	√	√	√
Polymyxin B	5.43	√	-	√
Ciprofloxacin	5.43	√	-	√
Total (CAD$)		173.23	80.93	129.40

^aTests performed within a particular group of organism are marked with a check.