Abstract: An apparatus and method for the detection of the growth of microorganisms through infrared analysis of a sample of the gas produced by growth of the microorganism is descirbed. In the method, a sample of the headspace gas in a vial containing a growth medium which has been inoculated with a sample suspected of containing a microorganism is removed and transferred to a sample cell where infrared analysis is used to determine the presence of carbon dioxide, if any, produced by the growth of the microorganism.

Abstract: A method for identification of a microorganism includes combining in a suitable fluid the microorganism and a latex containing a particle coated with about 1 to 150 .mu.g per ml of latex of a lectin specific for the microorganism. Binding of the microorganism and lectin causes agglutination which is detected. The microorganism is identified by the agglutination as that organism which is specific for the lectin. The invention includes a reagent which may be included with other materials in a kit of materials useful for performing the method of the invention.