الفهرس 
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Abstract
M
atrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF-MS) allows rapid and accurate identification of Candida species. Phenotypic identification of Candida species remains labor- and time consuming, and the results may sometimes be inconclusive.
Rapid and reliable species identification of Candida is essential for antifungal treatment due to species-specific susceptibility patterns.
In this study, we evaluated the performance of MALDI TOF-MS for identification of Candida strains. A total of 50 Candida isolates collected from different clinical samples submitted to the Main Microbiology Laboratory Ain Shams University Hospitals, Ain Shams University, were included in this study.
Candida species were identified with automated VITEK 2 YST panels as well as with MALDI TOF-MS. There was a total agreement of (100%) between MALDI-TOF and Vitek 2C at the level of the genus and (96%) at the level of the species.
MALDI-TOF is a rapid and reliable method for identification of Candida strains in Microbiology Clinical Laboratory.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
F
rom the present study we concluded that the MALDI-TOF MS system is a reliable and cost-effective technique that can be used for the identification of clinically relevant Candida species. Compared to phenotypic identification by the Vitek2C, MALDI-TOF MS only requires a small amount of colony and can therefore be performed from an early culture. This, in turn, will impact the rapid delivery of results.
MALDI-TOF MS presents only a few limitations for common yeast identification. Misidentifications and no identifications are rare. No identification cases mainly result from the absence of the given yeast species in the database, from the poor quality of the spectra or from undetected polymicrobial colonies. In the latter case, duplicate, repeat testing, or re-isolation of pure CFU often lead to a correct identification.
The availability of MALDI-TOF MS in the clinical laboratory will improve the diagnosis of fungal infections and patient management, allowing appropriate antifungal therapy.
Further studies with larger sample size and more Candida species are recommended.