A comparative evaluation of the IR Biotyper as a tool for determining relatedness of bacterial and yeast isolates.

Abstract

Relatedness of microorganisms is a key component of outbreak investigations, traditionally determined through phenotypic or genetic comparison methods with long turnaround times. Faster processes may improve timely surveillance and outbreak detection. The Bruker IR Biotyper (IRBT) uses Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to generate "spectroscopic fingerprints" of microbial isolates by measuring infrared absorption across multiple wavelengths. This study evaluated the instrument's ability to identify potentially related isolates. Clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes (n=115), Candida parapsilosis (n=55), and Salmonella enterica (n=45) were analyzed and compared to gold-standard reference methods. Results showed that the IRBT's performance in determining species type and relatedness varies by organism and by the resolution required.

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