title: The use of MALDI-TOF ICMS as an alternative tool for Trichophyton rubrum identification and typing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the potential of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight intact cell mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF ICMS) was investigated for the identification of clinical isolates. The isolates were analyzed at the species and strain level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spectral identification by MALDI-TOF ICMS was performed for all strains, and compared with the results of sequencing of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2), and the 5.8S rDNA region. PCR fingerprinting analysis using primers M13, (GACA)4, and (AC)10 was performed in order to assess the intra-specific variability of Trichophyton rubrum strains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The identification of strains at species level by MALDI-TOF ICMS was in agreement with the previously performed morphological and biochemical analysis. Sequence data confirmed spectral mass identification at species level. Intra-specific variability was assessed. Within the T. rubrum cluster, strains were distributed into smaller highly related sub-groups with a similarity values above 85%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MALDI-TOF ICMS was shown to be a rapid, low-cost and accurate alternative tool for the identification and strain typing of T. rubrum.
authors.affiliation: IBB/Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: leoneljpp@deb.uminho.pt.
authors.forename: Leonel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: IBB/Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: nidias@deb.uminho.pt.
authors.forename: Nicolina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: IBB/Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cledir
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: IBB/Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
keywords: Biología molecular; Identificación; Identification; MALDI-TOF ICMS; Molecular biology; Proteomics; Proteómica; Trichophyton rubrum and typing; Trichophyton rubrum y tipificación