Evaluation of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the Identification of Group B Streptococcus.

We directly compared swab isolates analysed by both direct plating and cell lysis method and demonstrated that direct plating has a sensitivity and specificity of 0.97 and 1, respectively, compared to an additional cell lysis step. We demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS can be successfully used for batch processing by the direct plating method which saves time. These results are reassuring for laboratories worldwide who seek to identify GBS from swabs samples as quickly as possible.