TABLE 3.

MLSA and MALDI-TOF MS identification results for the 212 isolates studied

Taxon	No. of isolates with potential identification (Bruker score) to level ofa:									Total isolates
	Unreliable (<1.700) (n = 7)	Genus (1.700–1.999) (n = 59)				Species (≥2.000) (n = 146)
		Correct	Incorrect			Correct	Incorrect
			Subspecies	Species	Genus		Subspecies	Species	Genus
S. anginosus subsp. anginosusb	4	17		5c	1d	88		1c		116
S. anginosus subsp. whileyib	1		2e				2e			5
S. constellatus subsp. constellatus	1		26c				49c			76
S. constellatus subsp. pharyngis		1				1				2
S. constellatus subsp. viborgensisf			1c				5c			6
S. intermedius	1	4		2g						7
Total	7	22	29	7	1	89	56	1		212

^aIDs are based on the Bruker score system: 0.000 to 1.699, no reliable identification; 1.700 to 1.999, probable genus identification; 2.000 to 2.299, secure genus identification, probable species identification; 2.300 to 3.000, highly probable species identification.

^bThe MALDI-TOF MS system only identifies strains as S. anginosus. Since the two spectra found in the database included the type strain of S. anginosus subsp. anginosus (DSM20563^T), we considered a MALDI-TOF MS identification as S. anginosus corresponded to the subspecies S. anginosus subsp. anginosus.

^cIsolates identified as S. constellatus subsp. pharyngis.

^dIsolate identified as Clostridium halophilum.

^eIsolates identified as S. anginosus subsp. anginosus.

^fNo strains of S. constellatus subsp. viborgensis were included in the spectra database; thus, only species-level identification was expected to be achieved.

^gIsolates identified as S. constellatus subsp. constellatus (n = 1) or S. constellatus subsp. pharyngis (n = 1).