Analytic device and method

at least one vapor-reactive region, the vapor-reactive region being adapted to be disposed out of the liquid medium when the liquid-reactive region is immersed in the liquid medium, said vapor-reactive region containing a third predetermined reagent which can react to give an indication when contacted with a predetermined vapor emitted from the liquid medium in response to the presence of a predetermined microorganism

• of the plurality of microorganisms. 2. An analytical testing strip for detecting the presence of at least one of a plurality of different microorganisms in a test specimen, the testing strip being elongated and adapted to be inserted into a tubular receptacle having a portion therein containing a liquid medium having both nutrients for enabling the growth of microorganisms of the specimen when disposed therein and a first predetermined reagent which can react with a predetermined microorganism of the plurality to give an indication, the tubular receptacle additionally having means for sealing the liquid medium within the tube, the testing strip comprising:
• a. at least one liquid-reactive region adjacent one end portion of the strip adapted to be immersed in the liquid medium, the liquid-reactive region containing other nutrients complementary to the nutrients of the liquid medium and a second predetermined reagent which can react to give an indication when another predetermined microorganism of the plurality is cultured in the liquid medium, the second predetermined reagent being incapable of inhibiting the growth of the plurality of different microorganism and being non-toxic to the plurality of microorganisms;
• and
• b. at least one vapor-reactive region, the vapor-reactive region being adapted to be disposed out of the liquid medium when the liquid-reactive region is immersed in the liquid medium, said vapor-reactive region containing a third predetermined reagent which can react to give an indication when contacted with a predetermined vapor emitted from the liquid medium in response to the presence of a predetermined microorganism of the plurality of microorganisms.

A process for detecting the presence of at least one of a plurality of different predetermined microorganisms in a test specimen by use of a tubular receptacle having a portion therein containing a liquid medium having both nutrients for enabling the growth of microorganisms of the specimen when disposed therein and a first predetermined reagent which can react with a predetermined microorganism of the plurality to give an indication, the tubular receptacle additionally having means for sealing the liquid medium within the tube, and an elongated test strip adapted to be inserted into the tubular receptacle when the sealing means is removed, the test strip having at least one liquid-reactive region adjacent one end portion of the strip adapted to be immersed in the liquid medium, the liquid-reactive region containing other nutrients complementary to the nutrients of the liquid medium and a second predetermined reagent which can react to give an indication when another predetermined microorganism of the plurality is cultured in the liquid medium, the second predetermined reagent being incapable of inhibiting the growth of the plurality of different microorganism and being non-toxic to the plurality of microorganisms, and at least one vapor-reactive region, the vapor-reactive region being adapted to be disposed out of the liquid medium when the liquid-reactive region is immersed in the liquid medium, said vapor-reactive region containing a third predetermined reagent which can react to give an indication when contacted with a predetermined vapor emitted from the liquid medium in response to the presence of a predetermined microorganism of the plurality of microorganisms, the process comprising the steps of:

• a. placing the test specimen into the liquid medium in the tubular receptacle, the nutrient in the liquid medium enabling the test specimen to be cultured,
• b. placing the elongated test strip into the tubular receptacle when the sealing means is removed with the liquid-reactive region of the test strip immersed in the liquid medium and the vapor-reactive region disposed out of the liquid medium,
• c. permitting the test specimen to be cultured, to react with any one of the first and second reagents, and any vapor from the liquid medium to react with the third reagent,
• d. sensing the liquid medium for a possible indication by the first reagent,
• e. further sensing the liquid-reactive portion of the test strip for possible indication by the second reagent,
• f. additionally sensing the vapor-reactive region of the test strip for possible indication by the third reagent, and
• g. compiling the results of the steps of (c), (d), and (e) for determining the presence of at least one of a plurality of different predetermined microorganisms.