The Identification of Microbial Pathogens Using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight in Medical Intensive Care Unit Beni-Suef University Hospital

Background: Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) is a novel technique for identification of microbes. This new method led to a new era in microbial identification because of its rapid, accurate, valid, simple and relatively decreased cost. Objectives: The aim of this study was identification of predominant pathogens by MALDI-TOF technique. Methodology: Pathogens were identified by both conventional methods and MALDI-TOF. Results: From July till December 2018, predominant pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (21%), Pseudomonas aeroguinosa and Candida each constitutes (17%), E-coli (10%), Staph. aureus (9%), Acinetobacter (9%). Identification of isolates (from September to December 2018) by MALDI-TOF revealed a total agreement of (94.1%) with conventional method at genus level, (88.2%) at level of species. Kappa agreement revealed almost perfect correlation between both techniques. Conclusion: The MALDI-TOF results might suggest that its’ usage may be dependable for microbiological identification.