An improved protocol for bacteria identification by MALDI-TOF MS directly from positive blood cultures

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Mar;43(3):605-610. doi: 10.1007/s10096-023-04725-3. Epub 2023 Dec 19.

Abstract

FASTinov® developed a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test that includes the purification of a bacterial suspension directly from positive blood cultures (BC). In order to streamline laboratory workflow, the use of the bacterial suspension obtained through FASTinov® sample prep was tested for identification (ID) by matrix absorption laser deionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (Bruker) in 364 positive BC, and its accuracy assessed comparing with the MALDI-TOF MS ID of the next-day subcultured colonies. FASTinov sample prep was highly reliable for rapid ID directly from BC with proportion of agreement of 94.9% for Gram-positive and 96.3% for Gram-negative bacteria.

Keywords: Blood cultures; MALDI-TOF; Mass spectrometry; Rapid identification.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteremia* / microbiology
  • Bacteria
  • Blood Culture*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria
  • Humans
  • Laboratories
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods