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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Rapid Identification of Gram Negative Bacteria from Blood Culture Broth Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Published on: May 28, 2014
Accelerated microbial identification "directly" from positive blood cultures using MALDI-TOF MS: Local clinical
Madhumati S Vaishnav1, Deepalakshmi Pd2, Sneha S Hegadi3
1Neuberg Anand Academy of Laboratory Medicine (NAALM), Bengaluru, India; Samatvam Endocrinology Diabetes Center, Jnana Sanjeevini Diabetes Hospital and Medical Center, Bengaluru, India.
Abstract:
Rapid identification of microbial pathogens "directly" from positive blood cultures (PBCs) is critical for prompt initiation of empirical antibiotic therapy and clinical outcomes. Towards higher microbial identification rates, we modified a published initial serum separator tubes-based MALDI-TOF-MS protocol, for blood culture specimens received at a non-hospital based standalone diagnostic laboratory, Bangalore, India: (a) "Initial" protocol #1: From 28 PBCs, identification= 39% (Gram-negative= 43%: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Gram-positive: 36%: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus); mis-identification= 14%; non-identification= 47%. (b) "Modified" protocol #2: Quality controls (ATCC colonies spiked in negative blood cultures) From 7 analysis, identification= 100% (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus); From 7 PBCs, identification= 57%; mis-identification= 14%; non-identification= 29%. Microbial preparations of highest quality and quantity for proteomic analysis and separate spectra matching reference databases for colonies and PBCs are needed for best clinical utility.
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