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Comparison of phenotypic methods and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the identification of aero-tolerant Actinomyces spp. isolated from soft-tissue infections

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Abstract

Aero-tolerant Actinomyces spp. are an under-recognised cause of cutaneous infections, in part because identification using conventional phenotypic methods is difficult and may be inaccurate. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a promising new technique for bacterial identification, but with limited data on the identification of aero-tolerant Actinomyces spp. This study evaluated the accuracy of a phenotypic biochemical kit, MALDI-TOF MS and genotypic identification methods for the identification of this problematic group of organisms. Thirty aero-tolerant Actinomyces spp. were isolated from soft-tissue infections over a 2-year period. Species identification was performed by 16 s rRNA sequencing and genotypic results were compared with results obtained by API Coryne and MALDI-TOF MS. There was poor agreement between API Coryne and genotypic identification, with only 33% of isolates correctly identified to the species level. MALDI-TOF MS correctly identified 97% of isolates to the species level, with 33% of identifications achieved with high confidence scores. MALDI-TOF MS is a promising new tool for the identification of aero-tolerant Actinomyces spp., but improvement of the database is required in order to increase the confidence level of identification.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by an NMRC Enabling (Small) Grant from the National Medical Research Council, Singapore. We would like to thank Dr. Prabha Krishnan and the staff of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and Bruker Daltonics Singapore for the use of the MALDI Biotyper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    L. S. Y. Ng, L. C. Eng & T. Y. Tan

  2. Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    J. H. C. Sim

  3. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    S. Menon

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  1. L. S. Y. Ng
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  2. J. H. C. Sim
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  3. L. C. Eng
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  4. S. Menon
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  5. T. Y. Tan
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Correspondence to T. Y. Tan.

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Ng, L.S.Y., Sim, J.H.C., Eng, L.C. et al. Comparison of phenotypic methods and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the identification of aero-tolerant Actinomyces spp. isolated from soft-tissue infections. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 1749–1752 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1496-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1496-3

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