Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

BECKMAN COULTER, INC.

Beckman Coulter develops, manufactures and markets laboratory systems, reagents, centrifugation, lab automation, elec... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




MALDI-TOF MS Employed for Early Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infections

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 Dec 2020
Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major cause of mortality in hospitalized patients. More...
Rapid diagnosis is crucial because any delay in the antimicrobial treatment is associated with an increase in adverse patient outcomes.

The routine identification of microorganisms in clinical microbiology laboratories is carried out by applying different tests, such as phenotypic essays based on microscopic, macroscopic, and biochemical analyses that allow determining their metabolic requirements, either manually or by automated systems.

A team of Medical Microbiologists at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia) analyzed 470 positive blood cultures from 190 patients’ samples using Standard Aerobic/F and Anaerobic/F blood culture media. Isolates were identified using conventional identification methods and by the direct method using the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF MS) system.

All blood cultures were incubated in the BacT/ALERT blood culture system (bioMérieux, Marcy-L’Etoile, France). All isolates were identified using both conventional methods MicroScan WalkAway 96 Plus (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA), and MALDI-TOF MS.

The protein mass spectra were analyzed using the Flex Control software and the MALDI Biotyper version 3.1 7311 reference spectra (main spectra) (Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany).

The team reported that in 470 blood cultures, the direct method showed good identification results (420/470, 89%); specifically, accurate species and genus identification in 283/470 (60%), and only correct genus identification in 137/470 (29%). The direct protocol had better performance for Gram-negative compared to Gram-positive bacteria (97% versus 76%) and was unable to identify the positive blood cultures for both yeasts and some bacteria, mostly Gram-positive (50/470).

The direct method was unable to identify the positive blood cultures for yeasts and for some bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus 15/52, coagulase negative staphylococci 11/33, Salmonella spp. 3/3, Streptococcus salivarus 2/2, Actinomyces naeslundii 1/1, and Cutibacterium acnes 1/1. However, all strains of Staphylococcus aureus or coagulase negative staphylococci were identified through the conventional method.

The authors concluded that accurate identification of the pathogen species that cause an infection is paramount. Their study provided a rapid and easy method for the direct identification of pathogens from positive blood cultures. The in-house protocol used gave good and reliable results for Gram-negative bacteria and may be helpful for the identification of some Gram-positive bacteria. This allowed better use of the robust MALDI-TOF technology with results available up to 24 hours earlier, which could positively impact the treatment of patients. The study was published on December 1, 2020 in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Related Links:
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
bioMérieux
Beckman Coulter
Bruker Daltonics



Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Gold Member
Automatic Hematology Analyzer
DH-800 Series
New
Rapid Molecular Testing Device
FlashDetect Flash10
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Mizzou researcher Jimi Cook is on a mission to find a ‘crystal ball’ to predict who will benefit most from cartilage transplant surgery (Photo courtesy of University of Missouri)

Urine Test Could Predict Outcome of Cartilage Transplant Surgery

Cartilage transplant surgery provides an alternative to artificial joint replacements by using donor tissue to restore knee function. While many patients benefit, outcomes can vary, leaving uncertainty... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: An adult fibrosarcoma case report has shown the importance of early diagnosis and targeted therapy (Photo courtesy of Sultana and Sailaja/Oncoscience)

Accurate Pathological Analysis Improves Treatment Outcomes for Adult Fibrosarcoma

Adult fibrosarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy that develops in connective tissue and often affects the limbs, trunk, or head and neck region. Diagnosis is complex because tumors can mimic... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.