The value of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in identifying clinically relevant bacteria: a comparison with automated microbiology system |
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Authors: | Chunmei Zhou Bijie Hu Xuelian Zhang Shenglei Huang Yuzhang Shan Xiangru Ye |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 20032, China; 2.State Key laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China |
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Abstract: | BackgroundMatrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been developed as a new-type soft ionization mass spectrometry in the recent year. Increasing number of clinical microbiological laboratories consider it as an innovate approach for bacterial identification.MethodsA total of 876 clinical strains, comprising 52 species in 27 genus, were obtained from Fudan University Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital. We compared the identification accuracy of the Vitek MS system (bioMerieux, Marcy l’Etoile) to other conventional methods for bacterial identification. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed as a reference identification method in cases of discrepant results.ResultsThe Vitek MS system consistently produced accurate results within minutes of loading, while conventional methods required several hours to produce identification results. Among the 876 isolates, the overall performance of Vitek MS was significantly better than the conventional method both for correct species identification (830, 94.7% vs. 746, 85.2%, respectively, P=0.000).ConclusionsCompared to traditional identification methods, MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid, accurate and economical technique to enhance the clinical value of microorganism identification. |
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Keywords: | Mass spectrometry bacteria identification |
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