Frontiers in Microbiology (Feb 2023)

“CORE” a new assay for rapid identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae COlistin REsistant strains by MALDI-TOF MS in positive-ion mode

  • Gianluca Foglietta,
  • Elena De Carolis,
  • Giordana Mattana,
  • Manuela Onori,
  • Marilena Agosta,
  • Claudia Niccolai,
  • Vincenzo Di Pilato,
  • Gian Maria Rossolini,
  • Gian Maria Rossolini,
  • Maurizio Sanguinetti,
  • Carlo Federico Perno,
  • Paola Bernaschi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1045289
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Due to the global spread of pan resistant organisms, colistin is actually considered as one of the last resort antibiotics against MDR and XDR bacterial infections. The emergence of colistin resistant strains has been observed worldwide in Gram-negative bacteria, such as Enterobacteriaceae and especially in K. pneumoniae, in association with increased morbidity and mortality. This landscape implies the exploration of novel assays able to target colistin resistant strains rapidly.In this study, we developed and evaluated a new MALDI-TOF MS assay in positive-ion mode that allows quantitative or qualitative discrimination between colistin susceptible (18) or resistant (32) K. pneumoniae strains in 3 h by using the “Autof MS 1000” mass spectrometer. The proposed assay, if integrated in the diagnostic workflow, may be of help for the antimicrobial stewardship and the control of the spread of K. pneumoniae colistin resistant isolates in hospital settings.

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