Abstract
We developed an easy MALDI-TOF MS-based assay to identify microorganisms directly from thioglycolate broth. A total of 101 positive thioglycolate broths inoculated with 15 different kinds of samples were evaluated. In 91 samples (90.1%), direct MALDI-TOF MS identifications were the same as those obtained after conventional laboratory procedures including subcultures. In 10 samples misidentified by direct processing, yeasts or mixed cultures grew in the thioglycolate subcultures, or high cellular debris hampered a correct analysis. This rapid method can provide a fast, clinically- relevant species-level identification without disturbing the daily workflow in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Highlights
It is generally accepted that outcomes of infected patients rely on early and adequate targeted therapy
Positive samples were processed in two ways: on the one hand, broths were inoculated in agar plates and studied by conventional laboratory procedures, checking daily up to 72 hours for the presence of bacterial growth to perform MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker Daltonics) on the grown colonies
A total of 101 thioglycolate broths in which bacterial growth was detected visually were evaluated as positive samples
Summary
It is generally accepted that outcomes of infected patients rely on early and adequate targeted therapy. In this situation, a rapid microbiological diagnosis is crucial for optimal management of infections [1]. Nutritive broths like thioglycolate offer a satisfactory recovery rate of microorganisms [6] but require incubation and subsequent subculture in agar before mass spectrometry can be performed. This represents a considerable delay in bacteriological identification and can result in severe clinical and epidemiological consequences. We recently developed a mass-spectrometry-based assay to identify microorganisms directly from thioglycolate broths that is implemented and can reduce turnaround times up to 72 hours if slowly growing pathogens are present
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