Rapid identification of clinical members of Fusarium fujikuroi complex using MALDI-TOF MS

Future Microbiol. 2015;10(12):1939-52. doi: 10.2217/fmb.15.108. Epub 2015 Nov 19.

Abstract

Aim: To develop the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) method for identification of Fusarium species within Fusarium fujikuroi complex for use in clinical microbiology laboratories.

Materials & methods: A total of 24 reference and 60 clinical and environmental isolates belonging to the F. fujikuroi complex were subjected to MALDI-TOF MS identification. Protein extracts of Fusarium isolates were obtained using formic acid extraction. Multilocus sequence analysis was used as a gold standard.

Results: The MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper correctly identified 93.6% of the strains down to the species level, while the remaining isolates (6.4%) were identified at the genus level when using scores of ≥ 2.0 as cut-off values. Correct identification was obtained despite large intraspecific heterogeneities in MALDI-TOF spectra.

Conclusion: MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid identification tool for the recognition of species within F. fujikuroi complex, provided a database is available.

Keywords: Fusarium fujikuroi complex; MALDI-TOF MS; database; fingerprint; multi-locus sequence analysis; spectral analysis.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods*
  • Fusariosis / diagnosis*
  • Fusariosis / microbiology*
  • Fusarium / chemistry*
  • Fusarium / classification
  • Fusarium / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Microbiological Techniques / methods*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*
  • Time Factors