Computer-assisted identification and clustering for regulated phytopathogenic bacteria: construction of a reference database and development of a computer system

CABIQ is a specific computer-assisted identification system for the reliable and rapid identification of the main regulated phytopathogenic bacteria. It is based on phenotypic and genomic properties of bacteria. About 500 reference strains have been used to initiate the database, including conventional phenotypic tests and the Biotype 100 (BioMerieux) galleries. The CABIQ system, with its database and reference matrices, is a guide on the tests to be done when identifying new isolates. The modules dealing with phenotypic and Biotype100 characteristics are already finalized. Results on repetitive PCR will soon be added to the system. This opens interesting perspectives for improving the reliability of computer-assisted identification.