A Comparison of Methods for Identifying Enterobacterales Isolates from Fish and Prawns

Enterobacterales is a prevalent order, which inhabits a variety of environments including food. Due to the high similarities between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species, their identification might be difficult and laborious, and therefore there is a need for rapid and precise identification. The a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Arkadiusz Józef Zakrzewski, Urszula Zarzecka, Wioleta Chajęcka-Wierzchowska, Anna Zadernowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-03-01
Series:Pathogens
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/4/410
Description
Summary:Enterobacterales is a prevalent order, which inhabits a variety of environments including food. Due to the high similarities between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species, their identification might be difficult and laborious, and therefore there is a need for rapid and precise identification. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the available methods of identifying order <i>Enterobacterales</i> strains isolated from fresh fish and shrimps (n = 62). The following methods were used in this study: biochemical, sequencing and identification using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). For this purpose, biochemical identification was performed with the use of the EnteroTest 24N set, while the identification using the MALDI-TOF MS technology was operated on VITEK<sup>®</sup> MS. Results were compared with identification made by 16S rRNA sequencing. The results of the study showed that conventional identification methods might provide a false result. Identification by VITEK<sup>®</sup> MS to the species level was correct at 70.97%, and the accuracy of EnteroTest 24N identification did not exceed 50.0%. The genus identification reached 90.32% for the MALDI-TOF technique, while for EnteroTest 24N it was nearly 70.0%. Due to errors in identification, especially of pathogenic organisms, the use of each of these methods should be confirmed by another method, preferably sequencing.
ISSN:2076-0817