Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Rapid and Specific Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii Infections Using a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification/Cas12a-based System
Published on: April 25, 2025
Comparison of MALDI-ToF MS with the Rapidec Carba NP test for the detection of carbapenemase-producing
M Choquet1,2, R Guiheneuf1,2, S Castelain3,4
1Department of Bacteriology, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France.
Abstract:
Although carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) have become a serious public health issue, their detection remains challenging. The aim of this study was to implement a test based on imipenem hydrolysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS), using 65 strains producing or not a carbapenemase. Then, we compared its performance to that of the Rapidec Carba NP test using 20 additional strains. The MS-based test effectively discriminated between CPE and other non-carbapenem-susceptible strains compared to the Rapidec Carba NP test (sensitivity 100% and 92%, specificity 94% and 92%, respectively). The MS-based test gave less difficulty in interpretation than the colorimetric Rapidec Carba NP test. MALDI-ToF gave a result in less than one hour and limited the use of expensive molecular assays. In conclusion, the hydrolysis test based on MALDI-ToF MS can detect clinically relevant CPE isolates in routine practice. This technology, also described to screen for carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii complex strains, also seems to be interesting in routine practice for these pathogens.
Insights
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) offers a rapid and accurate method for detecting carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). This hydrolysis test provides a reliable alternative to existing methods for clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Infectious diseases
- Mass spectrometry
Background:
- Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) pose a significant global health threat.
- Accurate and timely detection of CPE is crucial for effective patient management and infection control.
- Current detection methods can be time-consuming or complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel imipenem hydrolysis test using MALDI-ToF MS for CPE detection.
- To compare the performance of the MALDI-ToF MS-based test against the Rapidec Carba NP test.
- To assess the utility of MALDI-ToF MS for routine clinical detection of CPE.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a test detecting imipenem hydrolysis via MALDI-ToF MS.
- Testing with 65 strains of carbapenemase-producing and non-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
- Comparative analysis with the Rapidec Carba NP test using an additional 20 strains.
Main Results:
- The MALDI-ToF MS-based test demonstrated high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (94%) for CPE detection.
- It showed comparable or superior performance to the Rapidec Carba NP test (sensitivity 92%, specificity 92%).
- The MS-based test offered simpler interpretation and faster results (under one hour).
Conclusions:
- The MALDI-ToF MS hydrolysis test is a reliable and efficient method for detecting clinically relevant CPE isolates in routine laboratory settings.
- This technology can also be applied to screen for carbapenem resistance in other challenging pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.
- MALDI-ToF MS offers a valuable alternative to molecular assays, reducing costs and turnaround times.
