TABLE I

Performance Parameters

RMM
Trade name	BactiFlow ALS	BacT/ALERT	AKuScreen
Company	AES Chemunex	bioMérieux	Celsis
Principle	Fluorescent labelling	Growth based	ATP Bioluminescence
Detection system	Flow cytometry	CO₂/Colour change	RLU/luminosity
Detection type	Qualitative	Qualitative	Qualitative
Particular
Limit of detection	1 cell per g^⁺	1 cell per sample	1 cell per g^⁺
Sample volume	pre-incubation step (1 in 100 dilution) then 50 μL samples	Up to 10 mL per 40 mL vial	pre-incubation step (1 in 100 dilution) then 50 μL samples
Capacity	∼200/day	∼50/day	∼1000/day
Capacity	25/h	module dependant (∼240)	120/h (164/run)
Time at which results are read^**	24 h	24–72 h	18 h
Ease of use
Amount of manipulation required	Medium	Easy	Medium
Cost
Hardware^*	£90K	£30K	£67K
Consumables per test	£4	£4/vial	£4