Comparison of laboratory methods for identifying members of the family .

Background: The introduction of a method based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry) into the practice of laboratories significantly increased the identification of acid-resistant bacteria (ARB).

Methods: Seventy-four nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cultures identified by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing, and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry.

Results: Analysis of the identification results obtained by the methods of DNA hybridization and Sanger sequencing showed a complete match only for 67.

Application of chromogenic media for preliminary identification of acid-resistant bacteria.

Background: The variety of morphological and cultural characteristics of acid-resistant bacteria (ARB) makes it possible to use microscopy and estimate the growth rate and pigment formation when cultivating on solid egg media for preliminary identification only as additional indicative methods. It is necessary to develop new approaches for the cultivation and primary identification of ARB isolated from the biological material. It will allow to obtain data on the prevalence, structure, epidemiological, and clinical features of infectious processes caused by opportunistic ARB.

Microflora of sputum and autopsy material of patients with COVID-19.

The rapid spread of a new coronavirus infection in the country actualizes the conduct of bacteriological studies of clinical material obtained from the respiratory tract of patients with COVID-19. During the experiments, 230 sputum samples and 260 autopsy lung samples from patients with COVID-19 were analyzed. 946 high-risk strains were isolated and identified by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry on a Microflex LT instrument (Bruker®).