Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is, currently, used as a rapid and reliable tool in microbial diagnostics. The discriminatory power of the method extends its applicability also beyond species level. This study examined the possibility to use MALDI-TOF MS to differentiate between Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto biofilm-positive (n = 12) and biofilm-negative (n = 9) strains. The results indicated a grouping trend within MALDI-TOF mass spectra belonging to each of the tested groups. However, these trends were eclipsed by mass spectral variations resulting from limited repeatability of the method, making its application for the selected purpose impossible. Improvement in the discriminatory power of the method was not obtained neither by using different matrices (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, ferulic acid, 5-chloro-2-mercaptobenzothionazole) for MALDI-TOF MS analysis nor by testing different culture conditions (cultivation length, culture media).

• MeSH
• Biofilms growth & development   MeSH
• Candida chemistry   physiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microbiological Techniques methods   MeSH
• Reproducibility of Results MeSH
• Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Evaluation Study MeSH