Thermo Fisher Microbial Identification Test Kits: Rapid, Traceable Results

Microbial identification underpins quality, safety, and compliance across pharmaceutical EM programs, clinical bacteriology, and environmental labs. This Collection brings Thermo Fisher’s rapid biochemical panels and high-resolution sequence-based kits into one place so you can move from isolate to species-level calls with confidence. As an authorized distributor, Iright supplies a broad Thermo Fisher portfolio and helps you configure the right workflow end-to-end.

How Microbial Identification Works: 16S/ITS Sequencing vs. Biochemical Panels

Before you choose products, align your goal (presumptive vs. definitive ID), sample type (bacteria or fungi), target turnaround time, and infrastructure. That clarity determines whether a fast biochemical panel suffices or a Sanger-based sequencing kit is the better fit for traceable, audit-ready species calls.

• Genotypic ID (Sanger 16S/ITS): MicroSEQ™ PCR + Sequencing kits generate amplicons for capillary sequencing, then compare results to validated libraries via MicroSEQ ID Software—optimized for Applied Biosystems™ SeqStudio™ genetic analyzers. This route provides high confidence, genus/species-level answers, and 21 CFR Part 11–friendly outputs.
  

• Biochemical/Enzyme ID: Thermo Scientific™ RapID™ panels and Oxoid™ O.B.I.S. rapid biochemical tests deliver same-shift presumptive IDs using multi-substrate reactions with colorimetric readouts—ideal for routine workups and triage.

Featured Kits & Panels: MicroSEQ 16S/ITS, RapID Systems, Remel & Oxoid

You’ll often mix methods: biochemical for speed and MicroSEQ for confirmation or for hard-to-call isolates. The following families cover the most common lab scenarios without overcomplicating your bench.

• MicroSEQ™ 16S (Bacteria) PCR/Sequencing

  • PCR: MicroSEQ™ Full Gene 16S rDNA PCR Kit 4349155 (full ~1,500 bp region).

  • Sequencing: MicroSEQ™ Full Gene 16S rDNA Sequencing Kit 4347484; MicroSEQ™ 500 16S rDNA Sequencing Kit 4346480 (first ~500 bp). 

  • Why it matters: full-gene vs 500-bp trade-off for resolution vs throughput; both feed MicroSEQ ID Software and libraries on SeqStudio systems. 

• RapID™ Enzyme Technology Panels

  • RapID™ ONE System R8311006—oxidase-negative, Gram-negative bacilli; ~4-hour workflow.

  • RapID™ ANA II System R8311002—clinically significant anaerobes; ~4-hour workflow.

• Oxoid™ O.B.I.S. Rapid Tests

  • O.B.I.S. Salmonella ID0570M; O.B.I.S. PYR ID0580M; O.B.I.S. Campy ID0800M—single-analyte colorimetric rules-in/rules-out to complement routine identification.

Use Cases & Compliance: EM (GMP), Clinical Microbiology, Food & Environment

Regulated environments demand both speed and traceability. Choose accordingly and document consistently so your bench protocols pass review without friction.

• Pharma EM / Cleanrooms (GMP): Use O.B.I.S./RapID for rapid presumptives on environmental isolates, reserve MicroSEQ 16S/ITS for final, species-level confirmation and audit-ready reports through MicroSEQ ID Software.

• Clinical Bacteriology: RapID ONE/ANA II lets you turn around common oxidase-negative GNB and anaerobes within a shift; escalate to MicroSEQ for unusual organisms or discordant biochemicals.

• Food/Environment: When the question is identity, use biochemical or MicroSEQ routes; when it’s presence/absence, pivot to detection assays (separate line). Keep the “ID vs detection” distinction explicit in SOPs, LIMS, and purchasing.

How to Choose the Right Kit: Bacteria vs. Fungi, TAT, Throughput, Traceability

Match method to constraints so you don’t over- or under-engineer your workflow. Use the prompts below to arrive at a short list, then verify compatibility with your instruments and software.

• Organism & Resolution: Bacteria needing species-level calls → MicroSEQ 16S (500 bp for routine; full-gene for maximum resolution). Fungi/yeasts → ITS sequencing (paired libraries).

• Turnaround & Volume: Same-shift presumptives → RapID; confirm tricky isolates later with MicroSEQ. Batch sequencing makes MicroSEQ efficient at moderate throughput.

• Infrastructure & Compliance: If you run SeqStudio/Flex and require 21 CFR Part 11-friendly outputs, standardize on MicroSEQ kits + MicroSEQ ID Software and validated libraries.

Featured SKUs: MicroSEQ PCR/Sequencing, RapID ONE/ANA II, Oxoid O.B.I.S.

To speed selection, start from the catalog numbers below. These correspond to widely used configurations and can anchor your purchasing list and SOP references.

Workflow & Resources: SOPs, Setup Videos, Manuals, and Validation Docs

Implement once, reuse everywhere—document your pipeline so training and audits stay light. The outline below maps to Thermo Fisher’s user guides and IFUs you can attach to SOPs.

1. Isolate Prep → colony PCR (MicroSEQ) or inoculate RapID/O.B.I.S. tests.

2. PCR & Sequencing (if genotypic) → load plate, run on SeqStudio/Flex, basecall and assemble.

3. Analysis → MicroSEQ ID Software compares sequences to validated libraries; export reports for LIMS and review.

4. Biochemical Arms → read color changes/indices and interpret tables in IFU (e.g., RapID ANA II).

Supported Libraries & Instruments: MicroSEQ ID Libraries & SeqStudio Analyzers

Your results are only as strong as the library and instrument behind them. Keep these items current and listed in your SOPs so inspectors see version control and validation at a glance.

• MicroSEQ ID Software & Libraries: v4.0 supports bacterial 16S (500-bp/full-gene) and fungal ITS; libraries are validated and can exceed 11,000 sequences across updates. Pair with audit-friendly features for traceability. 

• Instruments: MicroSEQ chemistry is designed for the SeqStudio™ family, including SeqStudio Flex (8- and 24-capillary). Note the system PC and OS requirements in Thermo Fisher documentation when qualifying your setup.

FAQ: 16S vs. Biochemical ID, Fungal ITS, Library Coverage, Reporting & QC

1. When should you escalate from RapID to MicroSEQ? 

Use biochemical panels for same-shift presumptives and escalate when profiles are atypical, mixed, or when species-level certainty is required for CAPA or release.

2. Does MicroSEQ support fungi/yeasts? 

Yes—use ITS sequencing with the corresponding MicroSEQ libraries and analyze in MicroSEQ ID Software.

3. How robust are the libraries? 

Current releases list >11,000 microbial sequences across bacterial and fungal sets; Thermo Fisher publishes validation statements and versioned downloads.

4. Is the software audit-ready? 

MicroSEQ ID Software is designed to help meet 21 CFR Part 11 needs (user management, e-records, audit trails). Confirm the version you deploy in your validation dossier.

Talk to Iright: Configure Your Thermo Fisher Microbial Identification Workflow

Tell us your organism mix, desired TAT, and instrument footprint. Iright will scope the right combination of MicroSEQ PCR/Sequencing kits, RapID or O.B.I.S. panels, SeqStudio analyzer compatibility, and MicroSEQ libraries/software—then deliver SKUs, lead times, and an SOP-ready bill of materials for your lab.