Routine identification of Nocardia species by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

- MALDI-TOF MS results in adequate species identification for Nocardia spp.
- A set of Nocardia spp. (n = 164) was identified to species level with 94% accuracy.
- The new IVD database for VITEK MS will include 12 Nocardia spp.
- MALDI-TOF MS currently provides the best tool for Nocardia spp. identification.

We here show adequate species identification for bacterial isolates of the genus Nocardia spp. through VITEK mass spectrometry. Application of a specific sample preparation method in combination with a robust matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) database leads to 94% accurate identification to the species level on a set of 164 isolates. The possibility to identify Nocardia spp. using MALDI-TOF MS will be available in the next release of VITEK MS update (IVD Version 3.0).