Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) can be used as a method for the rapid identification of microorganisms. This study evaluated the Bruker Biotyper (MALDI-TOF MS) system for the identification of clinically relevant Gram-positive organisms. We tested 239 aerobic Gram-positive organisms isolated from clinical specimens. We evaluated 4 dire...

Francisella tularensis is the cause of the zoonotic disease tularemia and is classifi ed among highly pathogenic bacteria (HPB) due to its low infection dose and potential for airborne transmission. In the case of HBP, there is a pressing need for rapid, accurate and reliable identifi cation. Phenotypic identifi cation of Francisella species is inappropriate for clinical microbiology laboratori...

MALDI-TOF MS can rapidly identify microorganisms to the species level and may be able to detect antimicrobial resistance. We evaluated the ability of this technology to detect triazole resistance in Candida species.35 C. albicans, 35 C. glabrata, and 37 C. tropicalis strains were exposed to fluconazole, voriconazole, or posaconazole at two different concentrations plus a drug-free control: a mi...

Background Rapid and accurate identification of pathogens is of utmost importance for management of patients. Current identification relies on conventional phenotypic methods which are time consuming. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is based on proteomic profiling and allows for rapid identification of pathogens. Objective We compare...

A matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) interlaboratory comparison was conducted on mixtures of synthetic polymers having the same repeat unit and closely matching molecular mass distributions but with different end groups. The interlaboratory comparison was designed to see how well the results from a group of experienced laboratories would ...

Dear Editor, Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is widely applied for the rapid identification of bacterial species [1]. However, an antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) should be performed by using conventional methods following MALDI-TOF MS, and this delay represents a significant hurdle for the rapid adjustment of administered antim...

The method of preparation and methods of analysis of a narrow distribution polystyrene of ∼7 ku used in an interlaboratory comparison of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) of synthetic polymers is described. Size exclusion chromatography was used to measure the polystyrene sample variability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and MA...

BACKGROUND There are 45 known genetic diseases that impair the lysosomal degradation of macromolecules. The loss of a single lysosomal hydrolase leads to the accumulation of its undegraded substrates in tissues and increases of related glycoconjugates in urine, some of which can be detected by screening of free oligosaccharides (FOS) in urine. Traditional 1-dimensional TLC for urine oligosaccha...

BACKGROUND Because sepsis has a high mortality rate, rapid microbiological diagnosis is required to enable efficient therapy. The effectiveness of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis in reducing turnaround times (TATs) for blood culture (BC) pathogen identification when available in a 24-h hospital setting has not been determined. METHODS On the basis of data from a total numb...

BACKGROUND Phlebotomine sand flies are known to transmit Leishmania parasites, bacteria and viruses that affect humans and animals in many countries worldwide. Precise sand fly identification is essential to prevent phlebotomine-borne diseases. Over the past two decades, progress in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as an acc...