Fast and accurate identification of clinically relevant Aspergillus species by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (CAT#: STEM-ST-0321-LJX)

Introduction

New Aspergillus species have recently been described with the use of multilocus sequencing in refractory cases of invasive aspergillosis. The classical phenotypic identification methods routinely used in clinical laboratories failed to identify them adequately. Some of these species have specific patterns of susceptibility to antifungal agents, and misidentification may lead to inappropriate therapy. We developed a matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS)‐based strategy to adequately identify sections (five common and 23 unusual species) was engineered. The profiles of young and mature colonies were analysed for each reference strain, and species‐specific spectral fingerprints were identified.