Value of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) in Discriminating Candida Species

Abstract Background Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF-MS) allows rapid and accurate identification of Candida species. Phenotypic identification of Candida species remains labor- and time consuming, and the results may sometimes be inconclusive. Rapid and reliable species identification of Candida is essential for antifungal treatment due to speciesspecific susceptibility patterns. Objectives We evaluated the performance of MALDI TOF-MS (VITEK MS) compared with conventional VITEK 2 YST (V2C) for identification of clinically important Candida strains. Subject and Methods A total of 50 Candida isolates collected from different clinical samples submitted to the Main Microbiology Laboratory Ain Shams University Hospitals, were included in this study. Candida species were identified by conventional phenotypic tests as Gram stain, culture morphology and with automated V2C panels as well as with VITEK MS. Results There was a total agreement of (100%) between VITEK MS and V2C at the level of the genus and (96%) at the level of the species. The most common isolates identified were C.tropicalis followed by C. albicans in urinary samles. Conclusion VITEK MS is a rapid and reliable method in comparison to V2C for identification of Candida strains in Microbiology Clinical Laboratory.