Does the Capsule Interfere with Performance of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii?

We described the impact of the capsule size for Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii identification at the species level by Bruker matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). After experimental capsule size modulation, we observed that reducing the capsule size resulted in improved identification by Bruker MALDI-TOF MS across all of the reference strains analyzed. ; Univ Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin FMUSP, Med Mycol Lab, LIM 53, Sao Paulo, Brazil ; Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Trop Med Sao Paulo, LIM 53, Sao Paulo, Brazil ; Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biophys, Sao Paulo, Brazil ; Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Cent Lab Div, LIM 03, Sao Paulo, Brazil ; Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biophys, Sao Paulo, Brazil ; Web of Science