MALDI-TOF MS applied to indirect carbapenemase detection: a validated procedure to clearly distinguish between carbapenemase-positive and carbapenemase-negative bacterial strains

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2013 Jun;405(15):5259-66. doi: 10.1007/s00216-013-6913-2. Epub 2013 Apr 13.

Abstract

Laboratory identification of carbapenemase-producing clinical isolates is crucial to limit the spread of the bacteria. In this study, we shall first develop the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) assay in automatic identification of carbapenemase producers. A total of 143 well-characterized isolates were studied. After an incubation of bacteria with meropenem trihydrate, the mixture was centrifuged and the supernatant analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. A genetic algorithm model with ClinProTools software was built using spectra of 43 carbapenemase-positive isolates and 40 carbapenemase-negative isolates after 2 h of incubation. This model was externally validated using 60 test isolates. All spectra of supernatants of the carbapenemase-negative isolates showed peak profiles comparable to that of pure meropenem (m/z 384.159, 406.140, and 428.122 of its two sodium salt variants) regardless of the incubation time tested. For the carbapenemase-positive isolates, the specific peak for meropenem at m/z 384.159 disappeared during the incubation time, two products of meropenem degradation were identified with m/z 358.18 (the decarboxylated product) and 380.161 (sodium salt of the decarboxylated product), and other degradation products were observed (native molecule with disrupted amide bond with m/z 402.169, three sodium salt variants with m/z 424.151, 446.133, and 468.115). Sixty test isolates were 100% correctly classified as carbapenemase positive and carbapenemase negative with the genetic algorithm model. MALDI-TOF MS coupled with ClinProTools is capable of rapidly, accurately, and automatically identifying carbapenemase producers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / enzymology*
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / physiology*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*
  • beta-Lactamases / chemistry
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase