Strain Matcher
Several CCUG softwares are used for the probabilistic identification or numerical analysis. 'StrainMatcher' is used to search for similar strains. Source data is first loaded in the main database, minimum data is transferred to the selected phenotypic database and the results from the lab. are loaded from the corresponding worksheet. Calculations are initiated from inside the databasemanagement software (Knowledgeman-Guru), by use of macros to organize export of data, calculation, and display or print of the result.
Data coding is: 0 = test not done, 1 = negative, 2 = probably negative, 3 = weakly positive, 4 = positive, 5 = strongly or rapidly positive.This coding is very appropriate for phenotypic data, in particular when lecture of test results are not highly stardardized. We have to initiate typing on all weekdays, and we are unable to read tests on Saturday and Sunday. Most classical tests are read on day 1 (if possible), day 2/3, day 4/5, day 6/7. Api tests are performed according to the manufacturer (bioMerieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France)
Each test is compared with the same test of all strains in the database. The software 'StrainMatcher' compiles the number of tests performed and the sum of the scores for all tests (0 is perfect identification), and lists the closest 35 strains by ascending summed 'score'. Scores are calculated as follows:
| Unknown strain | |||||||
| Test result: | NP a | - | -? | + | ++ | +++ | |
| NTV: | 0 b | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Data-matrix test value |
0 | NC c | NC | NC | NC c | NC | NC |
| 1 | NC | 0 d | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 | |
| 2 | NC | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 8 | |
| 3 | NC | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
| 4 | NC | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 5 | NC | 10 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |
a NP: not performed, -: negative reaction, -?: probably negative, +: weak or late positive, ++: positive, +++: strongly or fast positive
b NTV: numerical test value
c NC: No comparison
d 'Score' for probabilistic calculation
'StrainMatcher' is a software always telling the truth. The cut-off for acceptable similar taxa depends of course very much on the phenotypic diversity of the species. In order to get a new database useful at once we load data from published papers or made available by a company:
A score of 5 = 90 - 100 % of strains positive
A score of 4 = 70 - 89 % of strains positive
A score of 3 = 35 - 69 % of strains positive
A score of 2 = 10 - 29 % of strains positive
A score of 1 = 0 - 9 % of strains positive
The worksheets are displayed on this site. Thus it is possible for customers to check the individual tests performed against literature data and to understand our interpretation.
The software was deviced by Enevold Falsen and written by Magnus Terrvik.