FIG 1.

Manual and automated semiquantitative streaking protocols. Two manual quantitative plate inoculation patterns were performed by an experienced microbiologist with 10-μl loops in a zigzag streaking pattern (MAN1), or a central single streaking throughout the plate followed by a zigzag pattern (MAN2). Two similar automated quantitative plate inoculation patterns with the InoqulA BT and the WASP were performed in a zigzag streaking pattern (INO1 and WAS1, respectively) or a central single streaking of 20 mm followed by a zigzag pattern (INO2 and WAS2, respectively). The InoqulA INO1 pattern and the WASP WAS2 pattern were used as optimized factory-designed semiquantitative inoculation protocols. The manual MAN2 streaking approach was chosen as the conventional semiquantitative manual inoculation used in most diagnostic laboratories. The INO2 is similar to the WAS2 streaking pattern, whereas the WAS1 and MAN1 are similar to the INO1 streaking pattern.