Identification and Typing of Cronobacter spp. by MALDI-TOF MS

Abstract:

Identification and typing of Cronobacter spp. was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Protein mass spectrometric profiles obtained from reference strains and isolates of Cronobacter spp. and Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes were compared and analyzed, characteristic peak at about 5740 (m/z) was selected as biomarker for identification of Cronobacter spp., 27 of 28 isolated strains could be identified by this marker. Cluster analysis of whole protein mass spectrometric profiles of 32 Cronobacter spp. strains shown that Cronobacter spp. could be divided into 6 different types. MALDI-TOF MS can be used as a new technology for identification as well as typing of Cronobacter spp. based on the protein mass spectrometric profiles.