Klebsiella MALDI TypeR: a web-based tool for Klebsiella identification based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Abstract Motivation Klebsiella species are increasingly multidrug resistant pathogens affecting human and animal health and are widely distributed in the environment. Among these, the Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex (KpSC), which includes seven phylogroups, is an important cause of community and hospital infections. In addition, the Klebsiella oxytoca species complex (KoSC) also causes hospital infections and antibiotic-associated haemorrhagic colitis. The unsuitability of widely used clinical microbiology methods to distinguish species within each of these species complexes leads to high rates of misidentifications that are masking the true clinical significance and potential epidemiological specificities of individual species. Results We developed a web-based tool, Klebsiella MALDI TypeR, a platform-independent and user-friendly application that enables uploading raw data from MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer to identify Klebsiella isolates at the species complex and phylogroup levels. The tool is based on a database of previously identified biomarkers that are specific for either the species complex, individual phylogroups, or related phylogroups, and is available at https://maldityper.pasteur.fr .