MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry – Page 2

Photo Quiz: A cutaneous fungal infection with discordant biomarker results—a diagnostic challenge

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A woman with advanced HIV infection presented with skin sores and respiratory symptoms that were initially suspected to be a viral infection. Testing revealed she had histoplasmosis, a serious fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum that had spread throughout her body affecting her skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. While standard tests for this fungus were negative, other fungal markers and cultures eventually confirmed the diagnosis, and she was treated with antifungal medications.

Identification of Challenging Dermatophyte Species Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

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This study shows that a specialized technique called MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can accurately identify fungal skin infections by analyzing protein patterns. Researchers created a customized library of local fungal species that, when combined with commercial databases, improved identification accuracy from 16% to 91%. This advancement helps doctors quickly identify the exact type of fungal infection patients have, enabling faster and more appropriate treatment decisions.

Geotrichosis Due to Magnusiomyces capitatus: A Severe Emerging Invasive Fungal Disease

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A 71-year-old man with cancer undergoing chemotherapy developed a rare and serious fungal blood infection caused by Magnusiomyces capitatus. Despite treatment with antifungal medications, the infection spread throughout his body and he died 10 days after admission. This case highlights how some fungi can resist common antifungal drugs and the importance of quickly identifying the exact type of fungus causing an infection to choose the right treatment.

Comparison of the Filamentous Fungi Library v4.0 MALDI Biotyper Platform vs MSI-2 performance for identifying filamentous fungi from liquid cultures

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This study compared two advanced technologies for identifying dangerous fungi in clinical samples. The MALDI Biotyper FFLv4.0 system identified about 96% of fungi correctly when using liquid culture samples, outperforming the MSI-2 database which identified about 78.5%. Both systems had difficulty with certain difficult-to-distinguish species, especially within Aspergillus and Fusarium groups, but performed well with Mucorales fungi. The findings suggest that continuous updating of these fungal identification libraries is essential for improving patient care.

A case of refractory onychomycosis caused by Kloeckera apiculata: Successful treatment with itraconazole

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A 32-year-old man had a stubborn fungal nail infection caused by an extremely rare yeast called Kloeckera apiculata that didn’t respond to three different antifungal treatments over several years. After being identified through specialized laboratory testing including genetic sequencing, the infection was successfully cured with a 3-month course of the oral antifungal medication itraconazole. This case is notable because it is only the fourth known case of this rare fungal infection in humans and the first one to achieve complete cure with itraconazole treatment.

Performance of the VITEK® MS system for the identification of filamentous fungi in a microbiological laboratory in Chile

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This study tested a rapid fungal identification system called VITEK® MS in a Chilean hospital laboratory. The system uses mass spectrometry technology to identify mold species quickly and accurately, often within 48-72 hours. Results showed the system correctly identified over 91% of fungal samples without any mistakes, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing serious fungal infections in hospitalized patients.

Photo Quiz: Unexpected yeast in a premature infant—pathogen or passenger

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A newborn baby born very prematurely developed a yeast organism called Malassezia pachydermatis in a sputum sample, which was identified in the hospital laboratory. Researchers investigated whether this yeast was causing a serious infection or was just a harmless colonizer. Follow-up testing showed no infection, and the baby improved without antifungal treatment, suggesting it was contamination rather than true disease. However, this finding is important because this yeast has been known to cause serious infections in premature babies in hospital settings.

First case report of tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton indotineae in Latin America

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A 21-year-old woman in Argentina developed a persistent skin infection caused by a fungus called Trichophyton indotineae, likely acquired during travel to Mexico. The infection did not respond to common antifungal medications like terbinafine, but responded well to treatment with a special formulation of itraconazole that was completely effective within four weeks. This case represents the first documented occurrence of this emerging fungal pathogen in Latin America and highlights the importance of molecular identification when standard treatments fail.

Integrating Machine Learning and Molecular Methods for Trichophyton indotineae Identification and Resistance Profiling Using MALDI-TOF Spectra

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A new type of fungus called Trichophyton indotineae is causing stubborn skin infections that don’t respond well to standard antifungal treatments. Researchers used advanced laboratory techniques combined with computer analysis to better identify this fungus from MALDI-TOF spectra, which is a quick fingerprinting method for microorganisms. The study showed that machine learning could accurately distinguish this problematic fungus from similar species and found specific markers that could help clinics detect it faster, potentially improving patient treatment outcomes.

Superficial Fungal Infections in Children—What Do We Know?

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Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails are increasingly common in children worldwide, especially in warm, humid climates and in crowded living conditions. These infections are caused by germs that live on the skin and can spread through contact with infected people or animals. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems, but most infections are treatable with topical creams or oral medications, with terbinafine being the most effective option currently available.

Research Keyword: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry