Characterization of the Lactobacillus Casei Group Based on Profiling of Ribosomal Proteins Coded in S10-spc-alpha Operons as Observed by MALDI-TOF MS

The taxonomy of the members of the Lactobacillus casei group is complicated due to the genetic similarities within the group and controversial nomenclature status. We were able to conduct quick and accurate discrimination of the L. casei group using as markers ribosomal proteins detected during measurement of bacteria by MALDI-TOF MS. This technique can be considered as a molecular phylogenetic method based on theoretical principles, and may therefore be useful for such applications as management of bacterial strains found in humans or animals, which cannot be accomplished by existing bacterial strain discrimination using MALDI-TOF MS fingerprinting.