title: A novel cluster of Mycobacterium abscessus complex revealed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).
abstract: Mycobacterium abscessus complex is a rapidly growing mycobacterium consisting of 3 subspecies, M. abscessus, Mycobacterium massiliense, and Mycobacterium bolletii. However, rapid and accurate species identification is difficult. We first evaluated a suitable protocol of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for distinguishing these subspecies. Then, we studied spectral signals by MALDI-TOF MS in 59 M. abscessus, 42 M. massiliense, and 2 M. bolletii. Among several specific spectral signals, 4 signals clearly differentiate M. massiliense from the other 2 subspecies, M. abscessus and M. bolletii. Moreover, 6 of the 42 M. massiliense isolates showed a spectral pattern similar to M. abscessus. These isolates correspond to the distinctive class of M. massiliense (cluster D) which is closer to M. abscessus by the previous variable number tandem repeat analysis. These results indicate that MALDI-TOF MS is not only useful for the identification of 3 subspecies of M. abscessus complex but also capable of distinguishing clusters of M. massiliense.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Center, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan. Electronic address: s-hiro@dokkyomed.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiromichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center, 1180 Nagasone-cho, Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 591-8555 Japan.
authors.forename: Shiomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Center, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan; Department of Infection Control and Clinical Laboratory of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan; Division of Infection Control, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection Control, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okuzumi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Center, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan; Department of Infection Control and Clinical Laboratory of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan; Division of Infection Control, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuhito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fukusima
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Center, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan; Department of Infection Control and Clinical Laboratory of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hishinuma
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
keywords: MALDI-TOF MS; Mycobacterium abscessus; Mycobacterium bolletii; Mycobacterium massiliense