Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for rapid identification of clinical isolates / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

Objective Laboratory tests of yeast, with their disadvantages of long identification, complicated operation, and low positive rate, cannot meet the needsof rapid diagnosis and timely treatment.This studyinvestigated the feasibility ofapplying matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry ( MALDI-TOF-MS) in rapid identification and clinical isolationof yeast strains. Methods A total of 120 clinical non-repetitive isolates were collected from clinical culture samples and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and VITEK 2-Compact/API, respectively.The discordant results were resolved by ITS gene sequencing. Results Of the 120 yeast isolates analyzed, 117 (97.5%) were correctly identified at the species level by MALDI-TOF-MS, 1(0.8%) misidenti-fied, and 2 ( 1.7%) unidentified.ITS gene sequencing of the 3 isolates showed the coincidence rate to be 0( 0/3) for MALDI-TOF-MS and Vitek 2-Compact/API. Conclusion MALDI-TOF-MScan be used as a rapid, accurate, and inexpensive tool for the identification of clinical yeast strains.