O gênero Trichosporon é composto por leveduras artrosporadas do Filo Basidiomycota e é conhecido agente de infecção fúngica invasiva (IFI) em pacientes imunodeprimidos ou com outros fatores de risco. Em pacientes onco-hematológicos é a principal levedura responsável por IFI depois do gênero Candida. Entre as espécies responsáveis por infecções no homem encontram-se: T. asahii, T. inkin, T. mucoides, T. dermatis, T. jirovecii, T. ovoides, T. cutaneum, T. montevideense, T. domesticum, T. asteroides, T. coremiiforme, T. faecale, T. dohaense, T. lactis, T. japonicum. A tecnologia de identificação de fungos por espectrometria de massa (SM) MALDI-TOF ainda carece de padronização para identificação de fungos do gênero Trichosporon, mas a literatura mostra resultados encorajadores. O objetivo deste estudo é padronizar a técnica de espectrometria de massa MALDI-TOF para a identificação das espécies do gênero Trichosporon de importância médica. O estudo foi realizado em cooperação entre a Divisão de Laboratório Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (DLC, HC-FMUSP), Instituto de Medicina Tropical da USP (IMT-USP), Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL) e Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie do Hospital Saint Antoine de Paris, vinculado ao grupo de pesquisa INSERM/UPMC UMR S945 \"Immunité et Infection\" Faculté de Medecine et Université Pierre et Marie Curie de Paris. Noventa e três cepas/isolados foram analisado(a)s, sendo dezenove cepas de referência adquiridas junto à coleção holandesa Centraalbureau Schimmelcultures (CBS), 19 isolados do HC-FMUSP e IAL, e 55 isolados de diferentes hospitais franceses. A identificação molecular foi realizada através do sequenciamento da região IGS1 do rDNA e foi considerada como método de referência. O protocolo de extração de proteínas foi estabelecido através da comparação do desempenho de três metodologias (Bruker®, Cassagne et al., Sendid et al.). Os espectros de massa foram obtidos no laboratório de bacteriologia do Hospital Saint Antoine de Paris através do aparelho Microflex LT®. A interpretação dos resultados qualitativos e quantitativos (logscore) foi realizada através do Software Biotyper 3.0®. O desempenho de identificação do banco de espectros de referência Biotyper 3.0® foi comparado a outros cinco bancos criados a partir de espectros de referência (ERs) derivados de 18 cepas de referência CBS, sete isolados clínicos e 11 ERs do banco Biotyper 3.0. O protocolo de extração de proteínas descrito por Sendid et al. foi escolhido como protocolo de referência pois os espectros produzidos tiveram logscore superiores àqueles obtidos através do método do fabricante. O banco de ERs Biotyper 3.0® apresentou 32,3% de identificações corretas das espécies, sendo que o banco de ERs in house (número 5, constituído cepas CBS e isolados clínicos) apresentou 98,5% de identificações de espécies. Espectros de referência do banco de dados Biotyper 3.0® foram submetidos à identificação com a utilização dos ERs criados a partir de cepas CBS e isolados clínicos e foram evidenciados com erros de identificação: T. mucoides (2), T. ovoides (1) e T. cutaneum (2). Após padronização do protocolo de extração e criação de banco de ERs com cepas CBS e isolados clínicos caracterizados pelo sequenciamento da região IGS, a SM por MALDI-TOF apresentou-se como potente uma ferramenta para a identificação de fungos do gênero Trichosporon. O banco de ERs Biotyper 3.0® apresentou um fraco desempenho, relacionado a ERs que foram criados a partir de cepas mal identificadas / Trichosporon spp. are arthrospored yeasts from the Filum Basidiomycota that are known to produce invasive fungal infection (IFI) in patients with immunosupression or other risk factors. After Candida, Trichosporon is the second genus of yeasts responsible for IFI in patients with onco-hematological diseases. The most important species related to human infection are: T. asahii, T. inkin, T. mucoides, T. dermatis, T. jirovecii, T. ovoides, T. cutaneum, T. montevideense, T. domesticum, T. asteroides, T. coremiiforme, T. faecale, T. dohaense, T. lactis, T. japonicum. The technology of mass spectrometry (MS) for identification of Trichosporon species has not yet been standardized. However, preliminary promising results can be found in the literature. The objective of this study is to analyse and validate MS MALDI-TOF for the identification of Trichosporon species of medical relevance. This was a multicentric study with collaboration from the Central Laboratory Section from Clinics Hospital of the Medical School from the University of São Paulo (DLC-HCFMUSP), Tropical Medicine Institute from the University of São Paulo (IMT-USP), Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL) and Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie from the Hospital Saint Antoine of Paris and INSERM/UPMC UMR S945 \"Immunité et Infection\", Faculté de Medecine et Université Pierre et Marie Curie of Paris. Ninety three strains/isolates belonging to sixteen Trichosporon species were analysed. Nineteen were purchased from Centraalbureau Schimmelcultures (CBS) yeast collection, 19 belonged to HC-FMUSP and IAL collections, 55 belonged to different French collections. The reference identification method was the IGS1 rDNA sequencing. A protein extraction protocol was first established after comparing the performance of three different methodologies (Bruker(TM), Cassagne et al., Sendid et al.). The mass spectra were obtained through a Microflex LT(TM) mass spectrometer located at the bacteriology laboratory from Saint Antoine Hospital, Paris. Mass spectra, qualitative and quantitative results were produced through the software Biotyper 3.0(TM). The performance of the original main spectrum (MSP) library was compared to other 5 in house libraries built with the combination of MSPs derived from CBS strains (18), clinical strains (7) or (Bruker Daltonics/BD, Germany/USA) (11). The extraction protocol described by Sendid et al. showed better performance when compared to the manufacturer\'s one and was chosen for the subsequent extractions. Among the 6 different reference spectra databases tested, a specific one composed of 18 reference strains plus 7 clinical isolates (database 5) allowed the correct identification of 66 amongst 67 clinical isolates (98,5%). Biotyper 3.0 library produced only 32,3% of correct identifications. Biotyper\'s MSPs were submitted to cross-identification with MSPs derived from CBS strains and clinical isolates and misidentified original MSPs were identified: T. mucoides (2), T. ovoides (1) e T. cutaneum (2). While until now less widely applied to basidiomycetous fungi, MALDI-TOF appears to be a valuable tool for identifying clinical Trichosporon isolates at the species level. The MSP library Biotyper 3.0 showed a poorer performance which was due to misidentified strains utilized as reference for the MSPs

Today we are collecting a large amount of tissue samples to store for future studies of different health conditions, in hopes that the focus in health care will shift from treatments to early detection and prevention, by the use of biomarkers. To make sure that the storing of tissue is done in a reliable way, where the molecular profile of the samples are preserved, we first need to characterise how these changes occur. In this thesis, data from mice brains were collected using MALDI imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) and an analysis pipeline for robust MALDI IMS data handling and evaluation was implemented. The finished pipeline contains two reduction algorithms, catching images with interesting intensity features, while taking the spatial information into account, along with a robust similarity measurement, for measuring the degree of co-localisation. It also includes a clustering algorithm built upon the similarity measurement and an amino acid mass comparer, iteratively generating combinations of amino acids for further mass comparisons with mass differences between cluster members. Availability: The source code is available at https://github.com/stephanieherman/thesis

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has revolutionized the field of bacterial diagnostics and is also used for routine analysis in smaller clinical laboratories. For identification of moulds, pre-analytical steps are more complicated and time consuming than for bacteria, and the choice of reference library has a big impact on the utility of MALDI-TOF MS. The aim of this study was to investigate if MALDI-TOF MS is applicable for identification of moulds belonging to the genus Aspergillus at the hospital laboratory in Gävle. Therefore, strains belonging to the genus Aspergillus and Penicillium, were analysed with MALDI-TOF MS after 2, 4 and 7 days of incubation. Two different extraction protocols were used and compared. Mass spectra were compared to reference spectra in two different databases: MSI-2 and RUO Compass library/BDAL (Bruker). Of the strains included, 97 % were correctly identified to species complex level with MSI-2. Only 25 % were identified to species level with RUO Compass library/BDAL (Bruker). However, totally 56 % were correctly identified to species complex level if a lower score value limit than recommended for identification, were applied. Significantly raised score values were observed with one of the protein extraction protocols used. Although, in most cases, the strains were considered identified to species complex level with either method. This pilot study conveys the feasibility of MALDI-TOF MS for identification of Aspergillus species in a clinical laboratory. While there are still issues to address, applying MALDI-TOF MS has the potential to allow for quicker and more precise identification, also in this specific clinical setting.

As permanent tattoos are becoming more popular and common, an increased number of allergic reactions to tattoos is reported. The purpose of this project was to analyze tattoo inks for hazardous substances, and whether they comply to current Swedish and European legislative requirements. The tattoo inks were qualitatively analyzed for pigments, and quantitatively analyzed for metals. A total of 73 tattoo inks were collected from various sources such as a tattoo ink supplier, online retailers, and provided directly from tattoo artists. The labels of each tattoo ink bottle were inspected to investigate their compliance with the Council of Europe and the Swedish Medical Products Agency. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS) was used to qualitatively analyze 20 selected tattoo inks for different pigments. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantitatively analyze trace metals in 70 of the samples. A large majority (90%) of the tested samples violated the requirements and criteria in the European resolution ResAP 2008(1), such as information on name and address of the manufacturer, minimum date of durability, sterility, batch number, and storage. Patch and allergy testing were incorrectly recommended for many samples in a way that is not accepted by dermatologists. In a worst-case scenario, this testing could be a sensitizing step. Also, it can not prevent future allergic reactions from occurring or provide any juridical insurance. Only one brand, World Famous, fulfilled the requirements for labeling for six of the seven samples (one sample failed due to a faulty declared pigment). The brands Tang Dragon and Dynamic did not fulfill any of the requirements listed in ResAP 2008(1). The list of ingredients was incorrect for all samples from Tang Dragon (bought prior to 2019 online). Also, six of the other 50 samples from different brands (World Famous, Intenze, Fusion Tattoo Ink, Eternal Ink, Solid Ink) declared at least one pigment incorrectly in their ingredients list. 25% of the declared and theoretically detectable pigments were detected by means of MALDI-ToF-MS, whereas the other pigments were either absent or below the limit of detection. Future analyses should include an MS/MS analysis. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was identified qualatively in 15 of the 20 samples analyzed with MALDI-ToF-MS but was not listed in any of the ingredients lists. ICP-QQQ-MS is a very sensitive technique and could both detect and verify the presence of all metal-containing pigments, as well as the level of impurities. Copper was clearly more present in green and blue colors, regardless of the brand. The metal content was evidently dependent on the brand for arsenic, aluminum, bismuth, chromium, nickel, zinc, and strontium. Elevated levels of barium and strontium (partially very high levels: up to 727 mg/kg barium and up to 8.06 g/kg strontium) were found in several samples. High amounts of aluminum (4 to 11,0 g/kg) and titanium (as judged from white precipitates and ingredients lists) were present in most samples. Nickel (0.1 to 41 mg/kg) and chromium (0.1 to 139 mg/kg) were also present in the samples. Some other impurities were also present (arsenic – 3.8 mg/kg, mercury – 1.6 mg/kg, and lead – 5.4 mg/kg for one sample, respectively). Known sensitizing pigments were declared and partially confirmed by MALDI-ToF-MS in 17 of 53 samples of the brands Radiant Colour, Eternal Ink, Fusion Tattoo Ink, and Kuro Sumi. Four samples (from Intenze, Eternal Ink, and Kuro Sumi) also declared pigments listed as non-suitable substance according to the European Commission regulation on cosmetic products from 2009.

<p>Aminoglycoside antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections but are highly susceptible to chemical modification, leading to resistance. Chemical modification can be hindered through the use of small molecule inhibitors that target bacterial enzymes involved in resistance, most notably kinases. Current methods for the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of kinases and related “kinase-like” enzymes are limited in throughput and utilize slow, tedious, and expensive assays. This thesis is focused on the development of highly versatile and scaleable kinase and “kinase-like” screening platforms for the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of these drug targets. The work begins with the validation of a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/MS) platform utilizing phosphorylation of kanamycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, by aminoglycoside phosphotransferase 3ʹIIIa (APH 3ʹIIIa) as a model system. Using a product-to-substrate signal ratio as an internal standard, the assay was used to functionally screen over 200 compounds, combined into mixtures to enhance assay throughput. Moreover, the assay was used to determine inhibitory dissocation constants for newly discovered modulators. Throughput was further increased to a novel dual-kinase assay targeting a bacterial enzyme, APH 3ʹIIIa and a human kinase, protein kinase A (PKA), which was validated using the previous small molecule library. Alternative assay development platforms were also studied using imaging mass spectrometry of reaction microarrays and the fabrication of sol-gel derived bioaffinity chromatography columns. The MS-based kinase assays developed herein are highly amenable to high throughput screening, and have the potential to be extended to other important therapeutic targets.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No / Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-separated and excised haptoglobin alpha2-chain protein spots were subjected to in-gel digestion with trypsin. Previously unassigned peptide ion signals observed in mass spectrometric fingerprinting experiments were sequenced using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-quadrupole ion trap-time of flight (MALDI-QIT-TOF) mass spectrometer and showed that the haptoglobin alpha-chain derivative under study was cleaved by trypsin unspecifically. Abundant cleavages occurred C-terminal to histidine residues at H23, H28, and H87. In addition, mild acidic hydrolysis leading to cleavage after aspartic acid residues at D13 was observed. The uninterpreted tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectrum of the peptide with ion signal at 2620.19 was submitted to database search and yielded the identification of the corresponding peptide sequence comprising amino acids (aa) aa65-87 from the haptoglobin alpha-chain protein. Also, the presence of a mixture of two tryptic peptides (mass to charge ratio m/z 1708.8; aa40-54, and aa99-113, respectively), that is caused by a tiny sequence variation between the two repeats in the haptoglobin alpha2-chain protein was resolved by MS/MS fragmentation using the MALDI-QIT-TOF mass spectrometer instrument. Advantageous features such as (i) easy parent ion creation, (ii) minimal sample consumption, and (iii) real collision induced dissociation conditions, were combined successfully to determine the amino acid sequences of the previously unassigned peptides. Hence, the novel mass spectrometric sequencing method applied here has proven effective for identification of distinct molecular protein structures.

Introdução: As endoftalmites infecciosas apresentam prognóstico visual reservado, sendo essencial o diagnóstico rápido assegurando tratamento imediato. O diagnóstico etiológico precoce pode ser importante para adequação do antibiótico e definir a melhor conduta. A cultura de amostra de humor vítreo para isolamento e identificação do agente etiológico apresenta como principal desvantagem o tempo necessário de alguns dias para um resultado definitivo. Desta forma, a busca por técnicas que proporcionem a identificação rápida e precisa se faz necessária. Objetivos: avaliar a análise direta do humor vítreo, inoculado em frasco de hemocultura infantil, de pacientes com endoftalmite infecciosa utilizando a espectrometria de massas (EM) por ionização e dessorção a laser assistida por matriz por tempo de voo (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, MALDI-TOF); comparar os resultados obtidos com o método convencional de cultura; analisar as características clínicas de acordo com os agentes etiológicos detectados; analisar os fatores que podem influenciar a positividade na identificação do agente etiológico. Métodos: estudo prospectivo, observacional com análise de amostras de humor vítreo, não diluído e diluído, de 96 pacientes com suspeita de endoftalmite infecciosa (critério de inclusão) diagnosticados no período entre outubro de 2015 e junho de 2017. O material foi inoculado em frasco de hemocultura e analisado pela cultura convencional e pela análise direta do humor vítreo pela EM MALDI-TOF. O tempo de identificação (turnaround time, TAT) pelos dois métodos foi comparado (teste de Wilcoxon pareado). Prognóstico visual após 3 meses do diagnóstico foi avaliado conforme o agente identificado. As variáveis avaliadas quanto à amostra foram: uso de antibiótico intravítreo prévio, amostra diluída ou não, obtida por biópsia vitrea ou por vitrectomia via pars plana e obtida do 1º ou 2º procedimento. Resultados: Dos 96 pacientes avaliados, foram excluídos dois casos por contaminação da amostra e sete casos por não preencherem os critérios de inclusão. Dentre os 87 pacientes incluídos, a cultura foi positiva em 60,9% (53 pacientes), sendo isoladas bactérias Gram-positivas em 46 casos (86,7%) e bactérias Gram-negativas em seis casos (11,3%); dois casos com cultura polimicrobiana. Não foi identificada nenhuma bactéria anaeróbia. Em três casos foram identificados Candida albicans. A mediana do TAT do agente etiológico foi 50,6 horas (variação entre 18,5 e 187,50 horas) e de 15 horas (variação entre 3,1 e 94,0 horas) pela cultura convencional e com EM MALDI-TOF, respectivamente (p < 0,001). A concordância da análise direta do frasco de hemocultura infantil com EM MALDI-TOF em relação à cultura convencional foi 81,1%, sendo 80,4% para bactérias Gram-positivas e 100% para bactérias Gram-negativas. Não houve significância na análise dos fatores que podem interferir nos resultados: uso de antibiótico ou não (positividade de 42,8% vs 64,3%, p=0,131); amostra de humor vítreo diluído ou não (TAT de 18,05 horas vs 17,03 horas, p=0,126); biópsia vítrea em relação à vitrectomia (positividade 93,1% vs 100%, p=0,531). Os agentes mais prevalentes foram Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=15; 28,3%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=9; 17%) e Staphylococcus aureus (n=6; 11,3%). Dentre os casos por Staphylococcus epidermidis, 60% e 86,7% apresentaram, no 3º mês pós-tratamento, acuidade visual melhor ou igual que 20/60 e 20/200, respectivamente. Nos demais casos, apenas 12,1% tiveram acuidade visual melhor ou igual a 20/200. Observou-se resistência a ciprofloxacino (93% a 100%), moxifloxacino (93% a 100%) e oxacilina (50% a 79%) pelos Staphylococcus epidermidis e Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Conclusão: O presente estudo aplicou a análise direta pela EM MALDI-TOF em amostras de humor vítreo inoculadas em frasco de hemocultura e demonstrou uma redução mediana de 67,6% no tempo para identificação do agente etiológico em relação ao método de cultura convencional. Este método mostrou-se viável na rotina de um laboratório de microbiologia. Observou-se que os casos de endoftalmite por Staphylococcus epidermidis apresentaram melhor prognóstico visual em relação aos outros agentes. Possíveis fatores que possam interferir na positividade das análises não foram significativos / Introduction: Infectious endophthalmitis presents a limited visual prognosis; rapid diagnosis is essential to assure prompt treatment. The early etiological diagnosis may be important to guide antibiotic therapy and to adjust treatment. The main disadvantage of using culture of vitreous humor for isolation and identification of the etiological agent is the required time of a few days for definitive results. Thus, the search for techniques that provide fast and accurate identification becomes necessary. Objectives: To evaluate direct analysis of vitreous humor in pediatric blood culture bottle of patients with infectious endophthalmitis using mass spectrometry (MS) with matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization (MALDI-TOF); to compare the results obtained with the conventional culture method; to analyze the clinical characteristics according to the detected etiological agents; to analyze the factors that may influence positive identification of the etiologic agent. Methods: A prospective, observational study with undiluted and diluted vitreous humor samples of 96 patients with suspected infectious endophthalmitis (inclusion criterion), diagnosed from October 2015 to June 2017. The material was inoculated in a blood culture bottle and analyzed by conventional culture and by direct analysis of the vitreous humor by MALDI-TOF MS. The identification time (turnaround time, TAT) of the two methods was compared (Wilcoxon paired test). Visual prognosis three months after the diagnosis was assessed according to the identified agent. The variables evaluated in the sample were: the use of previous intravitreal antibiotics, diluted or not, obtained by vitreous biopsy or pars plana vitrectomy and obtained from the 1st or 2nd procedure. Results: Of the 96 patients evaluated, two cases were excluded due to contamination of the sample, while seven cases did not meet the inclusion criteria. Among the 87 patients that were included, the culture was positive in 60.9% (53 patients); Gram-positive bacteria were isolated in 46 cases (86.7%) and Gram-negative bacteria in six cases (11.3%); in two cases there was polymicrobial culture. No anaerobic bacteria were identified. In three cases Candida albicans were identified. The median TAT of the etiological agent was 50.6 hours (ranging from 18.5 to 187.50 hours), and 15 hours (ranging from 3.1 to 94.0 hours) in the conventional culture and with MALDI-TOF MS, respectively (p < 0.001). The agreement of results from direct analysis with MALDI-TOF MS in relation to the conventional culture was 81.1%, being 80.4% for Gram-positive bacteria and 100% for Gram-negative bacteria. There was no significance in the analysis of the factors that may interfere with the results: the use of antibiotic or not (positivity of 42.8% vs 64.3%, p = 0.131); diluted or non-diluted vitreous humor sample (TAT of 18.05 hours vs 17.03 hours, p = 0.126); vitreous biopsy in relation to vitrectomy (positivity 93.1% vs 100%, p = 0.531). The most prevalent agents were Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 15; 28.3%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 9; 17%) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 6; 11.3%). Among the cases due to Staphylococcus epidermidis, 60% and 86.7% showed visual acuity better than or equal to 20/60 and 20/200, respectively, in the 3rd month after treatment. In other cases, only 12.1% had visual acuity better than or equal to 20/200. Resistance to ciprofloxacin (93 to 100%), moxifloxacin (93 to 100%) and oxacillin (50 to 79%) by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus was observed. Conclusion: The present study applied direct analysis by MALDI-TOF MS in vitreous humor samples inoculated in a blood culture bottle, and it showed a median reduction of 67.6% in time to identify the etiological agent in relation to the conventional culture method. This method proved to be feasible in the routine of a microbiology laboratory. It was observed that cases of endophthalmitis caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis had a better visual prognosis than other ones individually. Possible factors that could interfere in the positivity of the analyses were not significant

A espectrometria de massas baseada na tecnologia MALDI-TOF (do inglês, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) (MALDI-TOF MS) tem sido cada vez mais incorporada à rotina de identificações microbiológicas nos laboratórios farmacêuticos de controle de qualidade, principalmente para as atividades do Programa de Monitoramento Ambiental de Salas Limpas. Isso porque o longo tempo necessário para a obtenção dos resultados por meio de métodos convencionais tem incentivado a procura por técnicas que permitam métodos rápidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a adequação da técnica MALDI-TOF MS para a identificação de bactérias isoladas do ambiente de salas limpas utilizadas em algumas etapas da produção de uma vacina viral. Treze espécies bacterianas conhecidas, normalmente isoladas das salas limpas estudadas, e cinco cepas ATCC foram identificadas pela técnica MALDI-TOF MS e por uma técnica bioquímica (BBL Crystal®). O desempenho da técnica MALDI-TOF MS foi superior ao da técnica bioquímica na identificação correta das espécies bacterianas (88,89% e 38,89%, respectivamente) e produziu menos identificações não confiáveis (5,55% e 22,22%, respectivamente). Os resultados evidenciaram que a técnica MALDI-TOF MS pode ser implementada para identificação rotineira de bactérias em um laboratório de controle de qualidade farmacêutico. Entretanto, a dependência de bases de dados exige estudos adicionais de isolados não identificados e, se apropriado, a adição destes a uma base de dados interna. O aperfeiçoamento de métodos de identificação microbiana é muito relevante no contexto de salas limpas, pois permitem ações corretivas e proativas essenciais para garantir a segurança microbiológica do processamento asséptico. / Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been increasingly introduced in routine microbiological identifications of pharmaceutical quality control laboratories, mainly for the activities of the Environmental Monitoring Program of Clean Rooms. The long time needed to obtain the results through conventional methods has stimulated the search for techniques that allow rapid methods, as MALDI-TOF MS. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the suitability of the MALDI-TOF MS technique for the identification of bacteria isolated from the environment of clean rooms used in some stages of the production of a viral vaccine. Thirteen bacterial species commonly isolated from clean rooms studied and five strains ATCC were identified by MALDI-TOF MS technique and by a biochemical technique (BBL Crystal® System). Performance of MALDI-TOF MS was better than biochemical technique for correct species identifications (88.89% and 38.89%, respectively) and produced fewer unreliable identifications (5.55% and 22.22%, respectively). MALDI-TOF MS can be implemented for routine identification of bacteria in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory. However, as a database-dependent system, maybe some isolated not identified by this technique must be additionally studied and, if appropriate, added to an in-house database.

Functionalized nanoparticles provide a wide range of potential applications for Biological Mass Spectrometry (MS). Particularly, we have studied the effects of chromophore activity on the performance of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) capped with substituted azo (-N=N-) dyes for analyte ion production in Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (LDI-MS) conditions. A series of aromatic thiol compounds were used as Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAM) to functionalize the surface of the AuNPs. Results indicate that AuNPs functionalized with molecules having an active azo chromophore provide enhanced analyte ion yields than the nanoparticles capped with the hydrazino analogs or simple substituted aromatic thiols. We have also conducted experiments using the azo SAM molecules on 2, 5, 20, 30, and 50 nm AuNPs exploring the changes of Relative Ion Yield (RIY) with increased AuNP diameters. Our results indicate that the role of the SAM to drive energy deposition decreases as the size of the AuNP increases. It was determined that 5 nm is the optimum size to exploit the benefits of the SAM on the ionization and selectivity of the AuNPs.

A espectrometria de massas baseada na tecnologia MALDI-TOF (do inglês, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) (MALDI-TOF MS) tem sido cada vez mais incorporada à rotina de identificações microbiológicas nos laboratórios farmacêuticos de controle de qualidade, principalmente para as atividades do Programa de Monitoramento Ambiental de Salas Limpas. Isso porque o longo tempo necessário para a obtenção dos resultados por meio de métodos convencionais tem incentivado a procura por técnicas que permitam métodos rápidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a adequação da técnica MALDI-TOF MS para a identificação de bactérias isoladas do ambiente de salas limpas utilizadas em algumas etapas da produção de uma vacina viral. Treze espécies bacterianas conhecidas, normalmente isoladas das salas limpas estudadas, e cinco cepas ATCC foram identificadas pela técnica MALDI-TOF MS e por uma técnica bioquímica (BBL Crystal®). O desempenho da técnica MALDI-TOF MS foi superior ao da técnica bioquímica na identificação correta das espécies bacterianas (88,89% e 38,89%, respectivamente) e produziu menos identificações não confiáveis (5,55% e 22,22%, respectivamente). Os resultados evidenciaram que a técnica MALDI-TOF MS pode ser implementada para identificação rotineira de bactérias em um laboratório de controle de qualidade farmacêutico. Entretanto, a dependência de bases de dados exige estudos adicionais de isolados não identificados e, se apropriado, a adição destes a uma base de dados interna. O aperfeiçoamento de métodos de identificação microbiana é muito relevante no contexto de salas limpas, pois permitem ações corretivas e proativas essenciais para garantir a segurança microbiológica do processamento asséptico. / Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been increasingly introduced in routine microbiological identifications of pharmaceutical quality control laboratories, mainly for the activities of the Environmental Monitoring Program of Clean Rooms. The long time needed to obtain the results through conventional methods has stimulated the search for techniques that allow rapid methods, as MALDI-TOF MS. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the suitability of the MALDI-TOF MS technique for the identification of bacteria isolated from the environment of clean rooms used in some stages of the production of a viral vaccine. Thirteen bacterial species commonly isolated from clean rooms studied and five strains ATCC were identified by MALDI-TOF MS technique and by a biochemical technique (BBL Crystal® System). Performance of MALDI-TOF MS was better than biochemical technique for correct species identifications (88.89% and 38.89%, respectively) and produced fewer unreliable identifications (5.55% and 22.22%, respectively). MALDI-TOF MS can be implemented for routine identification of bacteria in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory. However, as a database-dependent system, maybe some isolated not identified by this technique must be additionally studied and, if appropriate, added to an in-house database.