Species identification of clinical Prevotella isolates by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - Time of flight mass spectrometry

Abstract

The performance of matrix-assisted laser desorption - ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for species identification of Prevotella was evaluated and compared with 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Using a Bruker database, 62.7% of the 102 clinical isolates were identified to the species level and 73.5% to the genus level. Extension of the commercial database improved these figures to, respectively, 83.3% and 89.2%. MALDI-TOF MS identification of Prevotella is reliable but needs a more extensive database. Copyright © 2012, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.