MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry rapid pathogen identification and outcomes of patients with bloodstream infection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

There was inconsistent evidence regarding the use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) for microorganism identification with/without antibiotic stewardship team (AST) and the clinical outcome of patients with bloodstream infections (BSI). In a systematic review and meta‐analysis, we evaluated the effectiveness of rapid microbial identification by MALDI‐TOF MS with and without AST on clinical outcomes. We searched PubMed and EMBASE databases from inception to 1 February 2022 to identify pre–post and parallel comparative studies that evaluated the use of MALDI‐TOF MS for microorganism identification. Pooled effect estimates were derived using the random‐effects model. Twenty‐one studies with 14,515 patients were meta‐analysed. Compared with conventional phenotypic methods, MALDI‐TOF MS was associated with a 23% reduction in mortality (RR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.66; 0.90; I2 = 35.9%; 13 studies); 5.07‐h reduction in time to effective antibiotic therapy (95% CI: −5.83; −4.31; I2 = 95.7%); 22.86‐h reduction in time to identify microorganisms (95% CI: −23.99; −21.74; I2 = 91.6%); 0.73‐day reduction in hospital stay (95% CI: −1.30; −0.16; I2 = 53.1%); and US$4140 saving in direct hospitalization cost (95% CI: $‐8166.75; $‐113.60; I2 = 66.1%). No significant heterogeneity sources were found, and no statistical evidence for publication bias was found. Rapid pathogen identification by MALDI‐TOF MS with or without AST was associated with reduced mortality and improved outcomes of BSI, and may be cost‐effective among patients with BSI. Our meta‐analysis found that MALDI‐TOF MS significantly reduced the time to identify microorganisms, was able to prescribe antibiotics earlier, and that it decreased mortality rates, hospital stays, and medical costs.