Universal protocol for the rapid automated detection of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli directly from blood cultures by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS)
Carbapenemase activity was determined in 30 min directly from blood cultures. A MALDI-TOF-based universal protocol for Gram-negative bacilli is proposed. Bacterial identification and resistance detection were performed in the same assay. Conventional extraction procedure does not preserve enzyme activity. SDS in the reaction buffer was required to achieve imipenem hydrolysis.