N.S. Bagirova - Dr.Sc. (Med.), Russian Cancer Research Center of N.N. Blokhin Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia. Е-mail: nbagirova@mail.ru
N.V. Dmitrieva - Dr.Sc. (Med.), Professor, Russian Cancer Research Center of N.N. Blokhin Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Invasive fungal infections are a growing problem in our severely immunocompromised patients. The spectrum of pathogens has also changed. Effective therapy for severe infectious complications fungal etiology depends on the rapid and accurate identification of fungi. Aim of the study - сomparative evaluation of the efficiency and accuracy of identification of yeasts by two methods: mass spectrometry analysis and biochemical activity of clinical strains of yeasts. Identification of 71 strains of yeasts isolated from various biomaterials cancer patients. Mass spectrometric analysis of the protein fractions of the microbial cells was performed on a MALDI-TOF Microflex LT (Biotyper) (Bruker, Daltonics, Germany) (MALDI-TOF MS) and identification using biochemical panels chromogenic substrates was carried out on an automated analyzer Microscan Walk-Away 96 + (Siemens) (WA). Identification of yeasts on WA and MALDI-TOF MS did not match the results in 15 cases (15/ 71, 21.1%). In the WA authentication failed to complete in 2 cases (2/71, 2.8%), in contrast to MALDI-TOF MS, where the identification was 100%. Speed identification MALDI-TOF MS is given the time of sample preparation (extraction) a few minutes, whereas the time required for the identification of WA 18-24 hours. In addition, an extensive database of MALDI-TOF MS is a huge advantage of this method compared to WA. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry provides high performance and almost 100% specificity and sensitivity, as well as unmatched speed analysis.