Pyocin typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Over the last 10 years, pyocin typing has been a useful tool 
for the epidemiological fingerprinting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The widely used "scrape-and-streak" 
method of Gillies and Govan, although simple to perform, has not 
been sensitive enough in differentiation of strains. Use of additional indicator 
strains might correct this deficiency. The "growth-in-broth" method of typing has 
shown promise; because it is easily automated, it may become the 
method of choice when very sensitive results are required. The value 
of pyocin typing appears to be well established in the study 
of nosocomial infections; however, in some situations it may give misleading 
results. Further studies are required for demonstration of the relative value 
and relationships of serological, pyocin, and bacteriophage typing. 