Universally, in microbiological diagnostics the detection of live bacteria is essential. Rapid identification of pathogens enables appropriate remedial measures to be taken. The identification of many bacteria simultaneously facilitates the determination of the characteristics of the accompanying microbiota and/or the microbiological complexity of a given environment.
The effectiveness of the VITEK2 Compact automated microbial identification system and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), analytical profile index (API) and Remel RapID tests were compared in identification of bacteria isolated from the alpaca gastrointestinal tract.
Most isolates were Gram-positive, such as
MALDI-TOF MS enabled the identification of pathogens and opportunistic pathogens from the alpaca gut which may represent a high risk to human and animal health.