Evaluation of two matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry systems for identification of viridans group streptococci

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2014 May;33(5):779-88. doi: 10.1007/s10096-013-2012-8. Epub 2013 Nov 8.

Abstract

In this study, the performances of two matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) systems, MALDI Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics) and VITEK MS (bioMérieux), were evaluated in the identification of viridans group streptococci. Two collections of isolates were tested with both methods. From a panel of type collection strains (n = 54), MALDI Biotyper gave correct species-level identification for 51/54 (94 %) strains and 37/54 (69 %) strains for the VITEK MS in vitro diagnostic (IVD) method. Additionally, a collection of blood cultures isolates which had been characterized earlier with partial sequencing of 16S rRNA (n = 97) was analyzed. MALDI Biotyper classified 89 % and VITEK MS 93 % of these correctly to the group level. Comparison of species-level identification from the blood culture collection was possible for 36 strains. MALDI Biotyper identified 75 % and VITEK MS 97 % of these strains consistently. Among the clinical isolates, MALDI Biotyper misidentified 36 strains as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Nevertheless, our results suggest that the current MALDI-TOF methods are a good alternative for the identification of viridans streptococci and do perform as well as or better than commercial phenotypical methods.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods*
  • Humans
  • Microbiological Techniques / methods*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Viridans Streptococci / chemistry
  • Viridans Streptococci / classification*
  • Viridans Streptococci / isolation & purification*