Abstract: Objective To analyze the application value of automatic rapid microbial mass spectrometry detection system (MALDI-TOF) in the identification of Haemophilus influenzae (Hi). Methods A total of 1 135 aliquots of sputum samples were obtained from inpatients treated in our hospital between July 2020 and March 2021, 30 strains of Hi were extracted from different patients and characterized for the bacterial species using MALDI-TOF, automatic bacterial identification instrument (Vitek) and M-H agar drug susceptibility test, respectively. The results of the three methods in identifying Hi strains were recorded and compared. Results The detection rate of Hi strains was higher by MALDI-TOF than by Vitek (96.67% vs. 86.67%). The difference was insignificant (χ2=1.333, P=0.248), yet significant compared to M-H agar test (73.33%; χ2=5.143, P=0.023). Time consumption was the shortest by MALDI-TOF test (0.15±0.01) h, followed by Vitek method (17.04±5.93) h, yet M-H agar test consumed the longest time (36.78±9.58) h. The difference was significant among the three tests (F=18.258, P<0.001). Further paired comparison of the time consumption by three methods using LSD-t test also indicated statistical difference (all P<0.001). Conclusion Automatic rapid microbial mass spectrometry detection system can be higher clinical value in effectively identifying Hi, and obviously has advantages such as low cost, high accuracy, simple operation, automatic display and interpretation of the results as well as shorter detection time.

Key words: MALDI-TOF, Haemophilus influenzae, Identification