Identification of Nocardia species using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Abstract

Background

The MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) Biotyper system for bacterial identification has already been utilized in clinical microbiology laboratories as a successful clinical application of protoemics. However, in cases of Nocardia, mass spectra suitable for MALDI Biotyper identification are often not obtained if such specimens are processed like general bacteria. This problem is related to the insufficiencies in bacterial spectrum databases that preclude accurate specimen identification. Here, we developed a bacterial processing method to improve mass spectra from specimens of the genus Nocardia. In addition, with the new processing method, we constructed a novel in-house bacterial database that combines a commercial database and mass spectra of Nocardia strains from the Department of Clinical Laboratory at Chiba University Hospital (DCLC) and the Medical Mycology Research Center at Chiba University (MMRC).

Results

The newly developed method (Nocardia Extraction Method at DCLC [NECLC]) based on ethanol-formic acid extraction (EFAE) improved mass spectra obtained from Nocardia specimens. The Nocardia in-house database at Chiba University Hospital (NDCUH) was then successfully validated. In brief, prior to introduction of the NECLC and NDCUH, 10 of 64 (15.6%) clinical isolates were identified at the species level and 16 isolates (25.0%) could only be identified at the genus level. In contrast, after the introduction, 58 isolates (90.6%) were identified at the species level and 6 isolates (9.4%) were identified at the genus level.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that MALDI-TOF (time-of-flight) Biotyper system can identify Nocardia accurately in a short time in combination with a simple processing method and an in-house database.

Background

Actinomycetes, which are pathogenic and infectious to humans, include both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria; representative of the former are bacteria of the genus Nocardia, and representative of the latter include bacteria of the genus Actinomyces [1]. Nocardiosis is an infection involving bacteria of the genus Nocardia. These bacteria are often isolated from immunocompromised patients taking immunosuppressants or steroids for the purpose of treating collagen disorders or organ transplantation, suggesting that nocardiosis is primarily an opportunistic infection; however, on rare occasions it is seen in healthy individuals [2,3]. Pneumonia can occur from inhalation of Nocardia, and entry through a cut in the skin can cause a skin infection. Hematogenous dissemination to organs throughout the body can also occur; for example, cerebral abscesses due to nocardiosis have been reported. Among bacteria of the Nocardia genus, N. farcinica and N. nova are the most frequently isolated, followed by N. brasiliensis and N. cyriacigeorgica.

Because antimicrobial susceptibility and pathogenicity differ depending on the species of Nocardia [4], from a clinical perspective, the results of bacterial identification should be reported rapidly, similar to the minimum inhibitory concentration. In addition, identification at not just the genus level but the species level as well is needed. To distinguish between the genera of actinomycetes, analyses of the taxonomic and physicochemical properties of the organism are necessary, including analyses of mycolic acid and menaquinone and the sugars and amino acids composing the cell wall. These physicochemical properties can be used to identify species of the genus Nocardia [5]. However, identification based on physicochemical properties is time consuming, and the identification procedures are complex. On the other hand, as with other bacteria, classification of Nocardia based on the 16S rRNA sequence has been introduced [6] and has simplified species identification, but employing this method in the laboratory remains difficult in routine identification testing.

Recently, the MALDI Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics GmbH, Leipzig, Germany) was developed as a new system for bacterial identification [7-9]. In this system, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is used in combination with database software. By collecting mass spectra of the bacteria and comparing these to mass spectra of various bacteria compiled in a database and scoring the match, rapid identification of bacteria has become possible [10-12]. In our clinical laboratory, we used MALDI-TOF MS to identify general bacteria isolated from clinical samples and have reported a high identification rate (91.7%) at the species level [7]. More recently, we reported on direct application of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to cerebrospinal fluid for rapid pathogen identification in a patient with bacterial meningitis [13]. However, in the identification of acid-fast bacteria and actinomycetes such as those of the genus Nocardia, spectra adequate for identification cannot be obtained using only processes for general bacteria due to the presence of aliphatic acids such as mycolic acid in the cell wall, and sometimes, mass spectra of sufficient intensity for scoring Nocardia isolates cannot be obtained at all [14]. In addition, data on only 37 isolates from 32 species of Nocardia have been compiled in the database (Bruker Biotyper ver. 3.3.1.0 database), which is insufficient from a practical perspective, and currently, species-level identification is often difficult.

To resolve these problems and improve the precision of Nocardia identification, we developed a new method for bacterial extraction. We also created and evaluated an in-house database using Nocardia strains stored at the Department of Clinical Laboratory at Chiba University Hospital (DCLC) and the Medical Mycology Research Center in Chiba University (MMRC) and report our findings here.

Results

Comparison of the NECLC approach and conventional extraction methods

We proposed a new method for Nocardia extraction (NECLC). This method is based on the ethanol-formic acid extraction method (EFAE) (Figure 1A), with the addition of silica beads as a component of the high-temperature extraction method (HTEM) (Figure 1B) and use of a 10-minute formic acid extraction time (Figure 1C). Table 1 shows changes in the identification scores of 10 Nocardia isolates determined using the NECLC and EFAE methods. Improved identification scores were seen with the NECLC approach, and it became possible to collect mass spectra for bacterial species for which it had previously not been possible. Representative improvement in the spectra is shown in Figure 2. However, species-level identification was still not optimal.

Figure 1

Comparison of conventional bacterial extraction methods and the newly developed Nocardia extraction method. Procedures in conventional bacterial sample extraction methods (ethanol-formic acid extraction [EFAE] and high-temperature extraction [HTEM]) are shown in (A) and (B), respectively. We propose a new Nocardia extraction method (Nocardia extraction method in Department of Clinical Laboratory at Chiba University hospital; NECLC). This method is based on EFAE, incorporating an element of the HTEM (indicated in red in the figure) method, with the further addition of a formic acid extraction time of 10 minutes (underlined) (C).

Table 1 Comparison of identification scores for specimens extracted using the EFAE and newly developed NECLC approach

Figure 2

Representative improvement in spectra of a N. otitidiscaviarum isolate by employing the NELCL method. Representative spectra and identification scores from analysis of a N. otitidiscaviarum isolate using the EFAE method (A) and NECLC method (B) are shown. Improved spectra and identification scores were obtained using the NECLC approach.

Validation of the NDCUH

The Nocardia in-house database at Chiba University Hospital (NDCUH) was constructed using the new extraction method (NECLC) to process 192 Nocardia isolates stored at the MMRC and generate mass spectra as described in the “Methods” section. Results of the cluster analysis were used for the construction of a spectra-based dendrogram (Additional file 1: Figure S5). The Nocardia strains were not divided into 2 clusters comprised of the manufacturer’s database strains and the 192 MMRC isolates; they appeared to be distributed without extreme bias.

Next, we evaluated the NDCUH database. In brief, mass spectra were generated for 64 Nocardia isolates (Table 2, Additional file 2: Table S1), independent of the isolates used to construct the database, and changes in the mass spectra and identification scores before and after introduction of the in-house database were compared. The results of a comparison of N. nova and N. elegans isolates are shown in Additional file 3: Figure S6, and the results for 64 Nocardia isolates are summarized in Table 3. In brief, prior to introduction of the in-house database, 10 isolates (15.6%) were identified at the species level and 16 isolates (25%) could only be identified at the genus level. In contrast, identification scores improved after introduction of the in-house database, as 58 isolates (90.6%) were identified at the species level and 6 isolates (9.4%) were identified to the genus level only.

Table 2 A summary of the 256 Nocardia isolates used in the study

Table 3 Validation of the NDCUH database

Discussion

In the present study, we developed a bacterial processing method (NECLC) and constructed a novel in-house bacterial database (NDCUH) that combines a commercial database and mass spectra of Nocardia strains to improve identification of Nocardia by MALDI-TOF MS. The NECLC approach improved Nocardia identification scores (Table 1), and use of the NDCUH database in conjunction with the NECLC method was then successfully validated (Table 3).

Rapid identification of Nocardia, which had been difficult in the past, is now possible thanks to the results of a variety of studies [15-17]. Wauters et al. performed rapid identification using 9 tests, including those involving biochemical properties and enzyme activity, and achieved identification rates of ≥95% for 6 bacterial species commonly isolated from clinical samples [18]. In addition, in a study by Glupczynski et al. N. farcinica, N. nova, N. cyriacigeorgica, N. abscessus, and N. brasiliensis were identified based on the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 12 species [19]. It is also now possible to identify Nocardia by molecular means, and in a study by Conville et al., identification was performed by 16S rRNA genetic analysis [6].

At the MMRC, we typically identify Nocardia by determining physicochemical properties and sensitivity to antimicrobials [5]. Genetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences is also employed at the MMRC. At the clinical laboratory of this hospital, the Mycology Center identifies Nocardia isolated from clinical samples, but due to the particulars of identification tests, it takes approximately 1 month for the official identification results to be delivered, which is not compatible with rapid identification.

Bacterial identification using MALDI-TOF MS was developed to replace conventional identification tests. For the genus Nocardia, a study by Verroken et al. [14] proposed a processing method that involved high-temperature extraction and their in-house database constructed using 91 isolates from 11 Nocardia species. Results of verification of this method using 43 Nocardia isolates from 9 species showed that before introduction of their in-house database, 10 isolates (23%) were identified to the species level and 9 isolates to the genus level (21%), whereas after introduction, 34 isolates (79%) were identified to the species level and 4 isolates (9%) could be identified only to the genus level due to improvement in identification scores.

In the study of Verroken et al., a 1-hour pretreatment process that includes 30 minutes of heat treatment was required [14]. The new NECLC approach we propose in this study to replace the EFAE and HTEM methods simplifies the Nocardia extraction process and eliminates the requirement for high temperature. As a result, Nocardia identification can now be achieved in 30 minutes. We also attempted to enhance the database by incorporating the mass spectra of a variety of bacterial species stored at the Mycology Center. Identification scores improved after introduction of the in-house database, as 58 isolates (90.6%) were identified at the species level and 6 isolates (9.4%) were identified to the genus level only. It is reported that silica beads are effective tools to extract bacterial proteins from acid-fast bacteria [20]. Also, the NECLC method employing silica beads was effective to process Nocardia (Additional file 4: Figure S1). Using the proposed NECLC approach and the 192 Nocardia isolates from the MMRC, we were able to construct a enriched in-house database (NDCUH), which has contributed to improving identification scores of Nocardia species (Table 1, Additional file 3: Figure S6). There were several isolates, however, that could be identified only at the genus level and not the species level. Refinements in the pretreatment procedures and database will be necessary to further improve identification of Nocardia.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that by using the MALDI-TOF Biotyper MS system along with our new method for bacterial extraction (NECLC) in combination with the in-house database we constructed, the majority of Nocardia clinical isolates can now be simply and accurately identified in a short period of time. As a result, the identification rate reached 90.6% at the species level and 9.4% at the genus level.

Methods

Culture of Nocardia and strains used

Bacteria were cultured on 5% sheep blood plate agar (Nippon Becton Dickinson Co., Tokyo, Japan) for 3 days at 37°C. The cultures were visually checked for purity, and typical colonies were used to prepare samples for MALDI-TOF MS analysis. In developing the Nocardia extraction method described in section 3 below, a total of 10 isolates were used: 2 isolates each of N. nova, N. farcinica, N. otitidiscaviarum, N. elegans, and N. cyriacigeorgica, all of which had been isolated from clinical samples and stored at the DCLC. To construct the in-house database described in section 4 below, 192 isolates from 73 species of Nocardia stored at the MMRC were used (Table 2, Additional file 2: Table S1). For validation of the in-house database as described in section 5 below, a total of 64 Nocardia isolates were used: 21 isolates stored at the DCLC and 43 isolates stored at the MMRC that were not used in construction of the in-house database (Table 2, Additional file 2: Table S1). All of the isolates from the DCLC and almost all of the isolates from the MMRC were isolated from clinical samples. At the DCLC and MMRC, we typically identify Nocardia by determining physicochemical properties, such as: the ability to degrade organic substances such as adenine, hypoxanthine, and tyrosine; the ability to produce acid from sugars such as glucose, maltose, and mannose; the ability to utilize citric acid, adipic acid, and gluconic acid; and sensitivity to antimicrobials such as imipenem, tobramycin, and ciprofloxacin [5]. Genetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences is also employed to identify all isolates mentioned above [21-23].

MALDI biotyper system

A Microflex LT apparatus was used, with the measurement range set at 2 to 20 kDa. FlexControl (ver. 3.3), FlexAnalysis (ver. 3.3), and BioTyper (ver. 3.1) analytical software were used, and version 3.3.1.0 of the database was used for identification. α-CHCA (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) was used as the matrix, and a target plate was used (the apparatus, software, reagents, and database were all products of Bruker Daltonics). The process from MALDI-TOF MS measurement to identification was described in a previous report [7]. In brief, the process was performed automatically without user intervention using the manufacturer’s default settings. The software generated a list of peaks, numbering up to 100. The threshold for peak acceptance was a signal to noise ratio of 10. After alignment, peaks with a mass to charge ratio difference of less than 250 ppm were considered to be identical. The peak list was used for matching against the reference library by direct use of the integrated pattern matching algorithm of the software. Results for the pattern-matching process were expressed as scores ranging from 0 to 3, as suggested by the manufacturer. Scores of <1.7 were not considered to provide reliable identification. A score of ≥1.7 indicated identification of at the genus level, and a score of ≥2.0 indicated identification of at the species level [7].

Development of the Nocardia extraction method at DCLC (NECLC)

The processes used in the EFAE for general bacteria and the HTEM used for acid-fast bacteria are shown in Figures 1A and 1B. To enable bacterial identification using MALDI-TOF MS, extraction methods have been developed for two decades [20,24,25]. The EFAE method [25] is a simple universal method recommended by the manufacturer for the extraction of general bacteria. The HTEM method [20] is also recommended by the manufacturer for the processing of acid-fast bacteria. To assess the effects of silica beads (Zirconia/Silica Beads 0.5 mm dia; Bio Spec Products inc, USA) used in the attempt to improve the effectiveness of bacterial cell disruption, beads were added during sample extraction in the EFAE method. A 1-μL aliquot of sample was placed on the target plate, dried, overlaid with 1-μL of α-CHCA matrix and dried again, after which the target plate was placed in the MALDI-TOF MS, analyzed, and the changes in identification scores were evaluated. As shown in Additional file 4: Figure S1 and Additional file 2: Table S2, better scores were obtained with the addition of silica beads.

Next, to determine whether to use beads for the EFAE or HTEM method, sample extraction was performed using both methods following the procedures described above, and changes in the identification scores were evaluated. As shown in Additional file 5: Figures S2, Additional file 6: Figures S3 and Additional file 2: Table S3 better scores were obtained when using beads with the EFAE method.

To investigate the effect of varying the duration of formic acid extraction, we extracted samples for 1, 5, and 10 minutes using the same procedures described above and evaluated changes in the identification scores. As shown in Additional file 7: Figure S4 and Additional file 2: Table S4, the best scores were obtained at a formic acid extraction time of 10 minutes.

Based upon all of the above results, we proposed a new method for the extraction of Nocardia (the Nocardia extraction method in the Department of Clinical Laboratory at Chiba University Hospital; NECLC) (Figure 1C).

Constructing the in-house database

Samples were extracted from the MMRC’s 192 Nocardia isolates using the proposed NECLC approach. The samples were plated (1 μL per site) on 8 sites on the target plate, and after drying, 1 μL of α-CHCA matrix was overlaid onto each sample and then dried. The target plate was placed in the MALDI-TOF MS and each site was analyzed 3 times; thus, with 8 sites, this enabled collection of 24 mass spectra per sample. The resulting data were averaged with FlexControl, and a single mass spectrum representing each sample was generated. The NDCUH was constructed by compiling mass spectra produced by employing this method on 192 isolates and adding these to the manufacturer’s database used for identification as described in section 2 above. Cluster analysis was performed to investigate differences in spectra between strains in the version 3.3.1.0 database and the MMRC’s 192 isolates. The BioTyper (ver. 3.1) software was used to conduct the cluster analysis.

Validation of the in-house database

Samples were extracted from 64 Nocardia isolates (43 isolates from the MMRC and 21 isolates from the DCLC) using the proposed NECLC approach, and mass spectra were then collected. Pattern matching was performed based on each mass spectrum in reference to the NDCUH database, and identification scores before and after introduction of the in-house database were evaluated for improvement.

Statistical methods

Identification scores are presented in Table 1 as the mean ± SD (standard deviation). The results were analyzed using the paired t test for comparisons to determine the significance of differences using the 4-Step Excel Statistics software application (OMS Publishing Inc., Tokorozawa, Japan; http://www.oms-publ.co.jp/index.html). Significance levels were set at a P value < 0.05.