Automated web-based typing of Clostridioides difficile ribotypes via MALDI-TOF MS.

Background: Clostridioides difficile is a major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea and a driver of nosocomial outbreaks, yet rapid, accurate ribotype identification remains challenging. We sought to develop a MALDI-TOF MS-based workflow coupled with machine learning to distinguish epidemic toxigenic ribotypes (RT027 and RT181) from other strains in real time.

Results: We analyzed MALDI-TOF spectra from 379 clinical isolates collected across ten Spanish hospitals and identified seven discriminant biomarker peaks.

Current Performance of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Databases for the Identification of Dermatophyte Species.

The identification of filamentous fungi by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) represents a challenge due to their complex taxonomy and the lack of comprehensive databases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current status of available MALDI-TOF MS databases for the identification of dermatophytes, including commercial, in-house, and web-based databases. We collected 289 dermatophyte strains from different centers and analyzed them using four databases and a combination of them.

Characterization of a nosocomial outbreak caused by VIM-1 Klebsiella michiganensis using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

Background: Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy has emerged as a rapid and reliable method for bacterial typing. In this study, we evaluated FT-IR spectroscopy for characterizing a nosocomial outbreak caused by VIM-1-producing Klebsiella michiganensis (K. oxytoca complex).

Analysis of high-molecular-weight proteins using MALDI-TOF MS and machine learning for the differentiation of clinically relevant Clostridioides difficile ribotypes.

Purpose: Clostridioides difficile is the main cause of antibiotic related diarrhea and some ribotypes (RT), such as RT027, RT181 or RT078, are considered high risk clones. A fast and reliable approach for C. difficile ribotyping is needed for a correct clinical approach.