Summary
This study systematically compares MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and whole-genome sequencing for identifying and tracking Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains in oyster samples from the United States. Analysis of 70 isolates revealed that MALDI-TOF MS produces resolution comparable to WGS whilst offering substantially lower cost and faster turnaround, suggesting it is a viable tool for foodborne pathogen surveillance in oyster aquaculture.
Regional applicability
Whilst the study focuses on United States oyster aquaculture (Gulf Coast and Massachusetts), the methodology and cost-effectiveness findings are potentially applicable to United Kingdom shellfish monitoring and food safety surveillance. UK oyster and mussel farms could benefit from MALDI-TOF MS as a rapid, economical screening tool for Vibrio species if similar validation studies are conducted on locally sourced stock.
Key measures
Cosine similarity of MALDI-TOF MS mass spectra (0.43–0.91 range); average nucleotide identity (ANI) from WGS (76–100% range); phylogenomic clustering patterns; strain-level discrimination by source
Outcomes reported
The study compared the resolving power of MALDI-TOF MS and WGS for identifying and tracking 70 V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from oysters across Gulf Coast and Massachusetts sources. Both methods produced strain-level clustering patterns corresponding to oyster source, with MALDI-TOF MS demonstrating comparable discriminatory power to WGS.
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