Clinical utility of rapid pathogen identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in ventilated patients with pneumonia: A pilot study

Background and objective: We evaluated the clinical utility of rapid identification of microorganisms in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in terms of the clinical outcomes of ventilated patients with pneumonia. Methods: Patients for whom microorganisms were identified via MALDI-TOFMS (from March 2013 to February 2014; post-intervention group) were compared with patients for whom microorganisms were identified using conventional methods (from March 2012 to February 2013; pre-intervention group). All pneumonia types (community-acquired, hospital-acquired, healthcare-associated and ventilator-associated pneumonia) were included in the analysis. Results: In total, 77 patients (50 men, mean age 67.2 +/- 12.5 years) were included (40 patients in the pre-intervention group and 37 in the post-intervention group). The time from BAL fluid collection to microorganism identification and the availability of antimicrobial susceptibility results was shorter in the post-compared with the pre-intervention group (51.9 +/- 11.3 vs 67.3 +/- 17.4 h, P < 0.001). Also, the time from BAL fluid collection to adjustment of antibiotic therapy was shorter in the post-intervention group (56.5 +/- 10.9 vs 73.2 +/- 18.5 h, P < 0.001). Microorganism identification via MALDI-TOF MS was independently associated with a shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stay after BAL fluid was drawn (hazard ratio = 2.324, P = 0.007). Conclusion: Rapid identification of microorganisms in BAL fluid via MALDI-TOF MS was associated with adjustment of antibiotic therapy and a shorter ICU stay after BAL fluid was collected from ventilated patients with pneumonia.