title: [Evaluation of mass spectrometry for the identification of clinically interesting yeasts].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Identification of yeasts is based on morphological, biochemical and nutritional characteristics, and using molecular methods. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, a new method for the identification of microorganisms, has demonstrated to be very useful. The aim of this study is to evaluate this new method in the identification of yeasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 600 strains of yeasts isolated from clinical specimens belonging to 9 genera and 43 species were tested. Identification was made by sequencing of the ITS regions of ribosomal DNA, assimilation of carbon compounds (ID 32C), and mass spectrometry on a Microflex spectrometer (Bruker Daltonics GmbH, Germany).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 569 strains (94.8%) were identified to species level by ID 32C, and 580 (96.7%) by MALDI-TOF. Concordance between both methods was observed for 553 strains (92.2%), with 100% in clinically relevant species: C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and almost 100% in C. krusei. MALDI-TOF identified species requiring molecular methods: Candida dubliniensis, C. nivariensis, C. metapsilosis and C. orthopsilosis. Some irregularities were observed in the identification of arthroconidia yeast and basidiomycetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MALDI-TOF is a rapid, effective and economic method, which enables the identification of most clinically important yeasts and the differentiation of closely related species. It would be desirable to include more species in its database to expand its performance.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galán
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Toledo, España.
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García-Agudo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Tapia
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España. Electronic address: pedromartos@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: García-Martos
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Iglesias
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D006801:Humans; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013045:Species Specificity; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods; D015003:Yeasts / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
keywords: Candida; Espectrometría de masas MALDI-TOF; Levaduras; Levaduras de interés clínico; MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry; Medically-important yeasts; Yeasts