My laboratory cannot afford a dedicated molecular system with the associated software for epidemiological tracing.We acquired the Vitek MS through a special arrangement and I have been through literature where I know it can be used. But I would like to know the specifics so that I can use it on a regular basis.
Distinguishing between strains of the same species by using MALDI MS profiling is not a straightforward task. For some groups of strains it works and for some not. This depends on the presence of mass spectral features specific for a particular group of strains (peaks present/absent or repeatable changes in peak intensity). These can be inspected visually or by statistical tools within the software (e. g. cluster analysis dendrograms).
Thanks Ondrej,
In effect i will have to speak with specialists from the company and find out whether the software programme included with the instrument can perform the statistical analysis of the spectra generated to obtain the required dendrograms, etc.
Michael.
You can subtype the strains using Mass Spectrometry (MS), looking into similarity or differences in the peaks for profiling.
But, you may not be content unless you carry out PFGE, MLST or at least PCR based typing such as RAPD.
Thanks Godfred, the problem is i am not sure if manual comparison of the peaks is sensitive enough. I will need software for it and even the parent company cannot as yet provide any satisfactory answer to that (i mean what software is best, or is it included in the package itself).
Though you could subtype visually looking into the peeks, it would be handy with software, cluster analysis dendrograms.
Software should be included in the package itself.
PLEASE FIND ATTACHED PICTURE for dendogram: Sourse- A Rapid MALDI-TOF MS Identification Database at Genospecies Level for Clinical and Environmental Aeromonas Strains.
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