The latest version of the MALDI Biotyper reference library includes 13 new bacteria genera and 50 new bacteria species. The coverage of yeast species is now almost doubled by eight new genera and 63 new species. For microbial species already present in the database 800 new main spectra have been added improving the intra-species coverage and identification accuracy.

Dr. Markus Kostrzewa, Vice President for Clinical Mass Spectrometry R&D: “We spent special focus on improved discrimination between Haemophilus influenza and Haemophilus haemolyticus as well as on enhanced identification of streptococci of the mitis/oralis/pneumoniae complex. The extension of Nocardia species facilitates the identification of this difficult to characterize bacteria group. The vast extension of our yeast library is the first outcome from our excellent collaboration with the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS) Fungal Biodiversity Centre from which we expect significant impact in the near future.”

The MALDI Biotyper method requires minimal sample preparation and offers low consumables cost. The products of the MALDI Biotyper family are available in a research-use-only (RUO) version, as the U.S. FDA-cleared MALDI Biotyper CA System, or in an IVD-CE version according to EU directive EC/98/79. The MALDI Biotyper also has medical device registrations in numerous other countries. Work-in-progress RUO versions of the MALDI Biotyper even allow selected high-value antimicrobial resistance tests in translational research.