Rapid pathogen identification directly from positive blood cultures using AUTOF MS1000 MALDI-TOF MS compared to conventional methods: A prospective observational study.

This prospective study, conducted at Al Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, between July and November 2024, assessed the AUTOF MS1000 MALDI-TOF MS system's efficacy in rapidly identifying pathogens directly from 125 positive blood cultures compared to traditional diagnostic methods. Traditional processing involved Gram staining and subculturing onto various agars with subsequent identification via the VITEK II system and biochemical tests. In contrast, the AUTOF MS1000 processed samples simultaneously to measure performance metrics, focusing on turnaround time (TAT), accuracy, and efficiency across six blood culture media and three automated systems. The results showed that the AUTOF MS1000 aligned perfectly with conventional methods, achieving 100 % concordance and species-level identification accuracy for Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts, with a TAT of <30 min-significantly faster than the 24-48 h required by traditional methods. This swift identification process facilitates quicker, more targeted antimicrobial therapy, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes. The study concludes that the AUTOF MS1000 offers a more efficient and reliable alternative for managing bloodstream infections and sepsis, recommending further investigation into its effectiveness in polymicrobial infections and broader applications.