Identification of Clinical Isolates of α-Hemolytic Streptococci by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Using MALDI Biotyper, and Conventional Phenotypic Methods: a Comparison

Fifty-six α-hemolytic streptococcal isolates were identified using MALDI Biotyper MS (Bruker Daltonics), API 20 Strep (bioMerieux), and BD Phoenix (Becton, Dickinson). The gold standard for identification was 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis with 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer sequencing. The following percentages of isolates were correctly identified to the species level: MALDI Biotyper, 46%; BD Phoenix, 35%; and API 20 Strep, 26%.