MALDI - TOF MS for the identification of obligate anaerobes and metronidazole susceptibility of anaerobic Gram negative bacilli.

MALDI-TOF MS, though has facilitated rapid and accurate anaerobe identification, the problem of rising metronidazole resistance amongst the members of Bacteroides fragilis group is cause for concern. In this one-year study period,152 anaerobic Gram negative bacilli and 60 Gram positive anaerobes were isolated from 167 samples obtained from clinically suspected anaerobic infections. Bacteroides fragilis accounted for 56 % of the total anaerobic GNB and Peptoniphilus asacchrarolyticus was the most commonly isolated Gram positive cocci. All isolates were identified by the MALDI-TOF MS except one isolate each of Clostridium and Peptostreptococcus. E-test for members of Bacteroides fragilis group, demonstrated 26.8 % metronidazole resistance.