Comparison of Bruker Biotyper and Vitek MS matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry platforms for the identification of filamentous fungi.

To evaluate the performance of two matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry platforms to identify molds isolated from clinical specimens. Fifty mold isolates were analyzed on Bruker Biotyper and Vitek MS platforms. Two Bruker Biotyper extraction protocols were assessed alongside the US FDA-approved extraction protocol for Vitek MS. The Bruker Biotyper modified NIH-developed extraction protocol correctly identified more isolates than Bruker's protocol (56 vs 33%). For species in the manufacturers' databases, Vitek MS correctly identified 85% of isolates, with 8% misidentifications. The Bruker Biotyper identified 64%, with no misidentifications. For isolates not in the databases, the Bruker Biotyper did not misidentify any, and Vitek MS misidentified 36%. Both the Vitek MS and Bruker Biotyper accurately identified the fungal isolates, however Vitek MS was more likely to misidentify isolates than the Bruker Biotyper.