title: Rapid and reliable MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identification of Candida non-albicans isolates from bloodstream infections.
abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) fingerprinting has recently become an effective instrument for rapid microbiological diagnostics and in particular for identification of micro-organisms directly in a positive blood culture. The aim of the study was to evaluate a collection of 82 stored yeast isolates from bloodstream infection, by MALDI-TOF MS; 21 isolates were identified also directly from positive blood cultures and in the presence of other co-infecting micro-organisms. Of the 82 isolates grown on plates, 64 (76%) were correctly identified by the Vitek II system and 82 (100%) by MALDI-TOF MS; when the two methods gave different results, the isolate was identified by PCR. MALDI-TOF MS was unreliable in identifying two isolates (Candida glabrata and Candida parapsilosis) directly from blood culture; however, direct analysis from positive blood culture samples was fast and effective for the identification of yeast, which is of great importance for early and adequate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Medicine School, University of Naples Federico II, via Pansini, 80131, Naples, Italy. giovannapulcrano@libero.it
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pulcrano
authors.forename: Dora Vita
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Iula
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vollaro
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tucci
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerullo
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossano
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Catania
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058387:Candidemia / Q000382:microbiology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D010802:Phylogeny; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
keywords: BC; BSI; Bloodstream infections; Candida non-albicans; ICU; ITS; MALDI-TOF; Vitek II; blood culture; bloodstream infection; intensive care unit; internal transcribed spacer; matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight