Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A comparative study for optimization of MALDI-TOF MS identification of filamentous fungi

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate and compare the performance of three commercial culture media, two filamentous fungi libraries, and two different protein extraction procedures in MALDI-TOF MS fungal identification.

Methods

A total of 21 quality control samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), ID fungi plate medium (IDFP), and Sabouraud gentamicin chloramphenicol 2 agar (SGC2). For four consecutive days, fungal growths were inoculated on a MALDI target plate both by using a direct transfer technique (DT) and by using a formic acid-ethanol protein extraction procedure (EEP). The MALDI-TOF MS-generated spectra were identified by the MBT Bruker library and the MSI database.

Results

Selective culture media (IDFP and SGC2) significantly outperformed the non-selective SDA medium. IDFP was superior to the SGC2 medium for dermatophyte identification. The EEP only demonstrated a benefit over DT in the underperforming SDA medium. The MBT Bruker library outperformed the MSI database in Aspergillus identification while the MSI database outperformed the MBT library in dermatophyte identification. For non-Aspergillus fungi, the libraries performed comparably.

Conclusion

The results of our study show the necessity of using selective culture media (IDFP and SGC2) for fungal identification with MALDI-TOF MS and demonstrate no significant benefit of the formic acid-ethanol protein extraction technique in these media. Given the relative strengths and weaknesses of the MBT library and the MSI database, it might currently be beneficial to consider these libraries as complementary and employ both databases to achieve optimal fungal identification.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are publicly available in the supplemental online files.

References

  1. von Lilienfeld-Toal M, Wagener J, Einsele H, Cornely OA, Kurzai O (2019) Invasive fungal infection. Dtsch Arztebl Int 116(16):271–278. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2019.0271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Huang Y, Zhang M, Zhu M, Wang M, Sun Y, Gu H, Cao J, Li X, Zhang S, Wang J, Lu X (2017) Comparison of two matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry systems for the identification of clinical filamentous fungi. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 33(7):142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-017-2297-3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Becker PT, de Bel A, Martiny D, Ranque S, Piarroux R, Cassagne C, Detandt M, Hendrickx M (2014) Identification of filamentous fungi isolates by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry: clinical evaluation of an extended reference spectra library. Med Mycol 52(8):826–834. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myu064

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Karabıçak N, Karatuna O, İlkit M, Akyar I (2015) Evaluation of the Bruker Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) System for the Identification of Clinically Important Dermatophyte Species. Mycopathol 180(3-4):165–171. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-015-9898-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Motteu N, Goemaere B, Bladt S, Packeu A (2022) Implementation of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to identify fungi from the indoor environment as an added value to the classical morphology-based identification tool. Front Allergy 15(3):826148. https://doi.org/10.3389/falgy.2022.826148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Fissel JA, Holdren-Serrell CK, Memon W, Zhang SX (2022 Jun) Performance of a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry testing algorithm for the rapid identification of clinical filamentous molds. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 15(12):915049. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.915049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Coulibaly O, Marinach-Patrice C, Cassagne C, Piarroux R, Mazier D, Ranque S (2011) Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium complex species identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Med Mycol 49(6):621–626. https://doi.org/10.3109/13693786.2011.555424

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Wilkendorf LS, Bowles E, Buil JB, van der Lee HAL, Posteraro B, Sanguinetti M, Verweij PE (2020) Update on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry identification of filamentous fungi. J Clin Microbiol 58(12):e01263–e01220. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01263-20

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Dupont D, Normand AC, Persat F, Hendrickx M, Piarroux R, Wallon M (2019) Comparison of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) systems for the identification of moulds in the routine microbiology laboratory. Clin Microbiol Infect 25(7):892–897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2018.10.013

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. da Cunha KC, Riat A, Normand AC, Bosshard PP, de Almeida MTG, Piarroux R, Schrenzel J, Fontao L (2018) Fast identification of dermatophytes by MALDI-TOF/MS using direct transfer of fungal cells on ground steel target plates. Mycoses 61(9):691–697. https://doi.org/10.1111/myc.12793

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Normand AC, Blaize M, Imbert S, Packeu A, Becker P, Fekkar A, Stubbe D, Piarroux R (2021) Identification of molds with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry: performance of the newly developed MSI-2 application in comparison with the Bruker filamentous Fungi Database and MSI-1. J Clin Microbiol 59(10):e0129921. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01299-21

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Sacheli R, Henri AS, Seidel L, Ernst M, Darfouf R, Adjetey C, Schyns M, Marechal L, Meex C, Arrese J, Hayette MP (2020) Evaluation of the new Id-Fungi plates from Conidia for MALDI-TOF MS identification of filamentous fungi and comparison with conventional methods as identification tool for dermatophytes from nails, hair and skin samples. Mycoses 63(10):1115–1127. https://doi.org/10.1111/myc.13156

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Normand AC, Becker P, Gabriel F, Cassagne C, Accoceberry I, Gari-Toussaint M, Hasseine L, De Geyter D, Pierard D, Surmont I, Djenad F, Donnadieu JL, Piarroux M, Ranque S, Hendrickx M, Piarroux R (2017) Validation of a new web application for identification of fungi by use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. J Clin Microbiol 55(9):2661–2670

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Robert MG, Romero C, Dard C, Garnaud C, Cognet O, Girard T, Rasamoelina T, Cornet M, Maubon D (2020) Evaluation of ID Fungi Plates Medium for Identification of Molds by MALDI Biotyper. J Clin Microbiol 58(5):e01687–e01619. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01687-19

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. L'Ollivier C, Ranque S (2017) MALDI-TOF-based dermatophyte identification. Mycopathologia 182(1-2):183–192

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Intra J, Sarto C, Tiberti N, Besana S, Savarino C, Brambilla P (2018) Genus-level identification of dermatophytes by MALDI-TOF MS after 2 days of colony growth. Lett Appl Microbiol 67(2):136–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.12997

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. L'Ollivier C, Cassagne C, Normand AC, Bouchara JP, Contet-Audonneau N, Hendrickx M, Fourquet P, Coulibaly O, Piarroux R, Ranque S (2013) A MALDI-TOF MS procedure for clinical dermatophyte species identification in the routine laboratory. Med Mycol 51(7):713–720. https://doi.org/10.3109/13693786.2013.781691

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Nenoff P, Erhard M, Simon JC, Muylowa GK, Herrmann J, Rataj W, Gräser Y (2013) MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry - a rapid method for the identification of dermatophyte species. Med Mycol 51(1):17–24

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Honsig C, Selitsch B, Hollenstein M, Vossen MG, Spettel K, Willinger B (2022) Identification of filamentous fungi by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry: evaluation of three different sample preparation methods and validation of an in-house species cutoff. J Fungi (Basel) 8(4):383. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8040383

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Normand AC, Gabriel F, Riat A, Cassagne C, Bourgeois N, Huguenin A, Chauvin P, De Geyter D, Bexkens M, Rubio E, Hendrickx M, Ranque S, Piarroux R (2020) Optimization of MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry for yeast identification: a multicenter study. Med Mycol 58(5):639–649. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myz098

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Cardot Martin E, Renaux C, Catherinot E, Limousin L, Couderc LJ, Vasse M (2021) Rapid identification of fungi from respiratory samples by Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight using ID-FUNGI plates. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 40(2):391–395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-020-04007-2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Shao J, Wang Q, Wei L, Wan Z, Li R, Yu J (2022) Limitations of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the identification of Aspergillus species. Med Mycol 60(2):myab084. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myab084

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sanguinetti M, Posteraro B (2017) Identification of molds by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. J Clin Microbiol 55(2):369–379. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01640-16

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Cassagne C, Normand AC, L'Ollivier C, Ranque S, Piarroux R (2016) Performance of MALDI-TOF MS platforms for fungal identification. Mycoses 59(11):678–690. https://doi.org/10.1111/myc.12506

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Stein M, Tran V, Nichol KA, Lagacé-Wiens P, Pieroni P, Adam HJ, Turenne C, Walkty AJ, Normand AC, Hendrickx M, Piarroux R, Karlowsky JA (2018) Evaluation of three MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry libraries for the identification of filamentous fungi in three clinical microbiology laboratories in Manitoba Canada. Mycoses 61(10):743–753. https://doi.org/10.1111/myc.12800

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Barker KR, Kus JV, Normand AC, Gharabaghi F, McTaggart L, Rotstein C, Richardson SE, Campigotto A, Tadros M (2022) A practical workflow for the identification of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucorales by MALDI-TOF MS: database, medium, and incubation optimization. J Clin Microbiol 60(12):e0103222. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.01032-22

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Heilig Hart Algemeen Ziekenhuis Lier, Mechelsestraat 24, 2500, Lier, Belgium

    De Vera Mae Jeraldine, Laffut Wim & Van Even Ellen

Authors
  1. De Vera Mae Jeraldine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laffut Wim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Van Even Ellen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Mae Jeraldine de Vera. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Mae Jeraldine de Vera and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to De Vera Mae Jeraldine.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

The authors confirm that the ethical policies of the journal, as noted on the journal’s author guidelines page, have been adhered to. No ethical approval was required as this original research did not involve animal or human samples, and did not involve patient data.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jeraldine, D.V.M., Wim, L. & Ellen, V.E. A comparative study for optimization of MALDI-TOF MS identification of filamentous fungi. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 42, 1153–1161 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-023-04652-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-023-04652-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation