Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for Identification of Bacterial Isolates From Horses.
Abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is used for bacterial identification by analyzing the spectra of isolates and comparing them against a database of reference spectra; it is known for its rapidity and accuracy. Although MALDI-TOF MS is used for identification of bacterial isolates from animals, not all animal pathogens are identified correctly. In this study, we used a commercial MALDI-TOF MS identification system to examine 3724 bacterial isolates from horses and their environments. Isolates that could not be identified with MALDI-TOF MS were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence taxonomic analysis. MALDI-TOF MS could identify 86.2% of the isolates from horses to the species level, showing that this method could be successfully applied for bacterial identification in horses. However, some species known to be equine pathogenic agents including Taylorella equigenitalis and Rhodococcus equi were difficult to identify with MALDI-TOF MS, which might be the result of an inadequate reference database. Some Prevotella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus isolates, which could not be identified with either MALDI-TOF MS or 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, formed clusters in the 16S rRNA phylogenic tree, and might be unknown species isolated from horses. Adding the spectra of isolates identified in this study to an in-house database might make MALDI-TOF MS a more useful tool for identifying equine isolates.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-09-28 PubMed ID: 33276932DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103276Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article presents a study in which the efficacy of MALDI-TOF MS, a sophisticated tool for identifying bacteria, is tested on bacterial isolates from horses. While it found the tool to be helpful for most identifications, the study also identified limitations and suggested potential improvements.
Objective of the Study
- The study aimed at determining the efficiency and effectiveness of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), a speedy and accurate tool, in identifying bacteria from horse-related samples.
Methods Used in the Study
- The researchers analysed a substantial amount of bacterial isolates—3724—from horses and their environments using a commercial MALDI-TOF MS identification system.
- They compared the generated spectra against a reference spectrum database to identify the bacteria.
- The isolates that remained unidentified were then subjected to a 16S rRNA gene sequence taxonomic analysis for identification.
Findings of the Study
- MALDI-TOF MS managed to correctly identify 86.2% of the bacterial isolates.
- However, it struggled to correctly identify certain pathogens critical to horses such as Taylorella equigenitalis and Rhodococcus equi, suggesting limitations in the reference database.
- Prevotella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus isolates couldn’t be identified through any of the methods, indicating they might be unknown species isolated from horses.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- In conclusion, MALDI-TOF MS can be applied for identifying bacteria in horses. However, it can be improved by expanding the reference database.
- Some bacterial isolates remain unknown, indicating gaps in the available taxonomic knowledge and highlighting the need for further research.
Potential Implications of Study
- Expanded reference databases could make MALDI-TOF MS a crucial tool for identifying equine isolates, and by extension, could aid in the diagnosis and management of equine infections.
- Revelation of unknown bacteria from horse-related samples may lead to new discoveries in equine microbiology and pathology.
Cite This Article
APA
Uchida-Fujii E, Niwa H, Kinoshita Y, Nukada T.
(2020).
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for Identification of Bacterial Isolates From Horses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 95, 103276.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103276 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Microbiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan. Electronic address: uchida@equinst.go.jp.
- Microbiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
- Microbiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
- Microbiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / veterinary
- Staphylococcus
- Taylorella equigenitalis
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Kačániová M, Elizondo-Luevano JH, Ban Z, Babošová M, Porhajašová JI, Kollár J, Kowalczewski PŁ, Garzoli S. Study of Antibiotic Resistance Potential of Spiders Bacteriota and Comparison With the Antibacterial Effect of Essential Oils. Microbiologyopen 2025 Dec;14(6):e70145.
- Alharbi HM, Noaman EA, El-Sayed A, Ragab MT, Hafez A, Eissa A, Ateya A, Alwutayd KM, Babaker MA, Darwish A. Analysis of Potential Genes, Acute Phase Proteins and Hormonal Profiles Associated with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolation from Pneumonic Sheep. Vet Sci 2025 Jun 13;12(6).
- Prommachote W, Deeudom M, Koonyosying P, Srichomphoo P, Somnabut R, Khamnoi P, Cilibrizzi A, Ravikumar Y, Srichairatanakool S. Drug Susceptibility, Siderophore Production, and Genome Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates from a University Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Antibiotics (Basel) 2025 May 18;14(5).
- Thomson P, García P, Río CD, Castro R, Núñez A, Miranda C. Antimicrobial Resistance and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Genes in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter Isolates from the Uterus of Healthy Mares. Pathogens 2023 Sep 8;12(9).
- Surányi BB, Zwirzitz B, Mohácsi-Farkas C, Engelhardt T, Domig KJ. Comparing the Efficacy of MALDI-TOF MS and Sequencing-Based Identification Techniques (Sanger and NGS) to Monitor the Microbial Community of Irrigation Water. Microorganisms 2023 Jan 21;11(2).
- Thompson JE. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry in veterinary medicine: Recent advances (2019-present). Vet World 2022 Nov;15(11):2623-2657.
- Thomson P, García P, Miles J, Isla D, Yáñez C, Santibáñez R, Núñez A, Flores-Yáñez C, Del Río C, Cuadra F. Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus Species Obtained from Healthy Companion Animals and Humans. Vet Sci 2022 Feb 13;9(2).
- Uchida-Fujii E, Kinoshita Y, Niwa H, Maeda T, Nukada T, Ueno T. High prevalence of Mycoplasma equirhinis in Thoroughbred horses with respiratory symptoms in autumn 2018. J Vet Med Sci 2021 Dec 9;83(12):1907-1912.
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