title: Comparative evaluation of two matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) systems for the identification of clinically significant yeasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively evaluate the performance of two matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry systems (MALDI-TOF MS) for the identification of clinically significant yeast isolates compared to the VITEK 2 system.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty-eight consecutive yeast isolates were analyzed by Bruker Biotyper and VITEK MS. The results were compared with the conventional VITEK 2 yeast identification system. Discrepant results were resolved by direct sequencing of rDNA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Accurate identification by VITEK 2, VITEK MS, and Bruker Biotyper MS was 94.1% (177/188), 93.0% (175/188), and 92.6% (174/188), respectively. Three isolates were not identified by VITEK MS, while nine Candida orthopsilosis were misidentified as Candida parapsilosis, as this species is not present in its database. Eleven isolates were not identified or were wrongly identified by Bruker Biotyper and although another 14 were correctly identified, the score was unreliable at <1.7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall accuracy of rapid MALDI-TOF MS systems was essentially comparable to that of the conventional VITEK 2 yeast identification system. However, future expansion of the databases may further improve the outcome and accuracy of identification of yeast species.
authors: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait; Microbiology Unit, Mubarak Al Kabir Hospital, Jabriya, Kuwait. Electronic address: wjamal@hsc.edu.kw.
authors: W Y
authors: WY
authors: Jamal
authors: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait; Microbiology Unit, Mubarak Al Kabir Hospital, Jabriya, Kuwait.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ahmad
authors: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait; Microbiology Unit, Mubarak Al Kabir Hospital, Jabriya, Kuwait.
authors: Z U
authors: ZU
authors: Khan
authors: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait; Microbiology Unit, Mubarak Al Kabir Hospital, Jabriya, Kuwait.
authors: V O
authors: VO
authors: Rotimi
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000302:isolation & purification
keywords: Identification; MALDI-TOF MS; VITEK 2 system; Yeasts