Direct identification of bacteria causing urinary tract infections by combining matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry with UF-1000i urine flow cytometry

► We used MALDI-TOF MS combined with UF-1000i to identify bacteria causing UTIs. ► UF-1000i was used to eliminate negative specimens. ► MALDI-TOF MS to identify the remaining positive samples. ► The combined method provided rapid and accurate identification for urine samples.