标题：Application of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Discrimination of Escherichia Strains Possessing Highly Conserved Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequences
摘要：We evaluated the capability of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to discriminate twelve Escherichia strains: E. blattae , E. fergusonii , E. hermanii and nine E. coli , whose ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence homologies are in the range of 96—100%. Similarities obtained by MALDI-TOF MS were found to be 78—92% among the E. coli strains, and 74% between E. coli and E. fergusonii . E. blattae and E. hermanii showed only 32% similarity when compared to the other species. Thus, MALDI-TOF MS provides capability of distinguishing bacterial species or even strains possessing highly conserved rRNA gene sequences.
