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Direct identification of bacteria from charcoal-containing blood culture bottles using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry

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Abstract

Several protocols for direct matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) from positive blood cultures are currently used to speed up the diagnostic process of bacteraemia. Identification rates are high and results are accurate for the BACTEC™ system and for charcoal-free bottles. Only a few studies have evaluated protocols for charcoal-containing BacT/ALERT bottles reaching substantially lower identification rates. We established a new protocol for sample preparation from aerobic and anaerobic positive charcoal-containing BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles and measured the protein profiles (n = 167). Then, we integrated this protocol in the routine workflow of our laboratory (n = 212). During the establishment of our protocol, 74.3 % of bacteria were correctly identified to the species level, in 23.4 %, no result and in 2.4 %, a false identification were obtained. Reliable criteria for correct species identification were a score value ≥1.400 and a best match on rank 1–3 of the same species. Identification rates during routine workflow were 77.8 % for correct identification, 20.8 % for not identified samples and 1.4 % for discordant identification. In conclusion, our results indicate that MALDI-TOF MS is possible, even from charcoal-containing blood cultures. Reliable criteria for correct species identification are a score value ≥1.400 and a best match on rank 1–3 of a single species.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Georg Häcker and Friederike von Loewenich for critically reviewing the manuscript and Susanne Stampf for the statistical advice.

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All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 11, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

    N. Wüppenhorst, C. Consoir, D. Lörch & C. Schneider

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  1. N. Wüppenhorst
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  2. C. Consoir
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  3. D. Lörch
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  4. C. Schneider
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Correspondence to N. Wüppenhorst.

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Wüppenhorst, N., Consoir, C., Lörch, D. et al. Direct identification of bacteria from charcoal-containing blood culture bottles using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 2843–2850 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-012-1638-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-012-1638-2

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