MALDI-TOF MS, A robust tool for fungal identification and beyond

Ref ID: 19346

Author:

T. Boekhout and B. Posteraro

Author address:

CBS, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and 2Institute of Public
Health, Universit a Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy

Full conference title:

6th Trends in Medical Mycology 2013

Date: 11 October 2014

Abstract:

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spec-
trometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has revolutionized the identification and
differentiation of pathogenic fungi. With regard to yeasts, applicabil-
ity of this method for the identification of closely related species was
evaluated, including the Candida parapsilosis complex species, the
Candida haemulonii complex, the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus
gattii species complex, the genus Malassezia, and arthroconidial
yeasts belonging to Trichosporon and Geotrichum and their related
genera. Possibilities of MALDI-TOF MS for intraspecific typing were
explored in Malassezia furfur. In addition, we will present the results
of a multicenter study in which 35 yeast isolates were identified
using three extraction procedures and compared with two databases.
With regard to molds, recent efforts by us and other research groups
were made to creating comprehensive fungal databases, which were
built using the mass spectra from hundreds of strains belonging to
several mold genera, including Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Lichtheimia
, and Pseudoallescheria/Scedosporium. After challenging them with
clinical mold isolates, these databases were shown to provide rapid
and accurate identification of filamentous fungi to the species level.
In addition, MALDI-TOF MS holds the promise of significantly accel-
erating the detection of infections caused by fungal pathogens that
are resistant to one or more antifungals. We will present the results
of our companion studies, which describe the development of a
MALDI-TOF MS-based assay for testing antifungal susceptibilities of
Candida and Aspergillus to the echinocandin caspofungin, by means
of a composite correlation index-based approach. Based on our data,
the assay has the great advantage of eliminating subjective read-
outs, which occur with the reference method when filamentous
fungi are tested, or better discriminating fungal isolates with trailing
growth from those isolates with true resistance. All results will be
discussed with the participants of the present Meet-the-expert
session.

Abstract Number: M04

Conference Year: 2013

Link to conference website: NULL

New link: NULL

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