Rapid and robust analytical protocol for E. coli STEC bacteria subspecies differentiation using whole cell MALDI mass spectrometry

Kevin McLean, Javier Palarea-Albaladejo, Carol G. Currie, Lisa H. J. Imrie, Erin D. T. Manson, Douglas Fraser-Pitt, Frank Wright, Colin James Alexander, Kevin G. J. Pollock, Lesley Allison, Mary Hanson, David G. E. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Whole cell MALDI is regularly used for the identification of bacteria to species level in clinical Microbiology laboratories. However, there remains a need to rapidly characterize and differentiate isolates below the species level to support outbreak management. We describe the implementation of a modified preparative approach for MALDI-MS combined with a custom analytical computational pipeline as a rapid procedure for subtyping Shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC) and accurately identifying strain-specifying biomarkers. The technique was able to differentiate E. coli O157:H7 from other STEC. Within O157 serotype O157:H7 isolates were readily distinguishable from Sorbitol Fermenting O157 isolates. Overall, nine homogeneous groups of isolates were distinguished, each exhibiting distinct profiles of defining mass spectra features. This offers a robust analytical tool useable in reference/diagnostic public health scenarios.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)164-170
Number of pages7
JournalTalanta
Volume182
Early online date20 Feb 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2018

Keywords

  • Escherichia coli
  • MALDI-MS
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Shigatoxigenic E. coli
  • Spectral processing
  • STEC

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry

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