Routine use of MALDI-TOF MS for anaerobic bacterial identification in clinical microbiology

In 2013, we adopted MALDI-TOF MS using the Bruker Biotyper system for identification of anaerobic bacteria into our routine clinical practice. Here, we describe our experience with the use of MALDI-TOF MS for anaerobic bacterial identification, highlighting its value in replacing the more costly and time-consuming 16S ribosomal RNA gene PCR plus sequencing-based approach as the primary method of anaerobic bacterial identification. We also describe our more recent experience with the use of early/rapid MALDI-TOF MS for identification of anaerobic bacteria performed on short incubation (4–6 h) plated aerobic media from anaerobic blood culture bottles positive for Gram-negative bacilli. •For anaerobes, MALDI-TOF MS offers faster turnaround time at a lower cost than 16S rRNA gene PCR plus sequencing.•The 10% differential rule aids in identification of anaerobic bacteria via Bruker MALDI-TOF MS.•Limited MALDI-TOF MS identification of Gram-negative anaerobes by brief outgrowths on blood broth subcultures is possible.