FIG. 6.

Schematic diagram of the classification system based on a modular ANN for the identification of nonfermentative gram-negative rods isolated from sputum samples from CF patients on the basis of FTIR spectra. On the first level of the ANN architecture, six groups of nonfermenting gram-negative rods (P. aeruginosa, S. maltophilia, A. xylosoxidans, BCC, R. pickettii, and Acinetobacter spp.) are identified. In the second level of the classification scheme, the four most clinically relevant species of BCC bacteria (B. cepacia, B. multivorans, B. cenocepacia, and B. stabilis) are discriminated. These two independently developed modules were integrated into one ANN-based classification system.