Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry-based functional assay for rapid detection of resistance against β-lactam antibiotics

J Clin Microbiol. 2012 Mar;50(3):927-37. doi: 10.1128/JCM.05737-11. Epub 2012 Jan 11.

Abstract

Resistance against β-lactam antibiotics is a growing challenge for managing severe bacterial infections. The rapid and cost-efficient determination of β-lactam resistance is an important prerequisite for the choice of an adequate antibiotic therapy. β-Lactam resistance is based mainly on the expression/overexpression of β-lactamases, which destroy the central β-lactam ring of these drugs by hydrolysis. Hydrolysis corresponds to a mass shift of +18 Da, which can be easily detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Therefore, a MALDI-TOF MS-based assay was set up to investigate different enterobacteria for resistance against different β-lactam antibiotics: ampicillin, piperacillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ertapenem, imipenem, and meropenem. β-Lactamases are enzymes that have a high turnover rate. Therefore, hydrolysis can be detected by MALDI-TOF MS already after a few hours of incubation of the bacteria to be tested with the given antibiotic. The comparison of the MS-derived data with the data from the routine procedure revealed identical classification of the bacteria according to sensitivity and resistance. The MALDI-TOF MS-based assay delivers the results on the same day. The approved routine procedures require at least an additional overnight incubation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism*
  • Bacteria / enzymology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*
  • Time Factors
  • beta-Lactam Resistance*
  • beta-Lactams / chemistry*
  • beta-Lactams / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • beta-Lactams