biostudies-literatureBosserman REbioMérieux SAe0021125https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12345239biostudies-literatureUnknown63(8)Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is widely used for rapid identification of bacteria and yeast in clinical labs. The VITEK MS PRIME ("PRIME") is the latest MALDI-TOF MS system from bioMérieux. This study evaluated PRIME's performance and workflow timing against the MALDI Biotyper CA System by Bruker ("Biotyper"). We compared a collection of 154 bacteria and yeast clinical isolates from various specimen types using three methods: Biotyper target with a toothpick, PRIME target with the PICKME nib, and PRIME target with a loop. Positive blood culture isolates were also analyzed using these methods, with high-experience (HEU, <i>n</i> = 300) and low-experience users (LEU, <i>n</i> = 50) after short (6-8 h) and routine (18-24 h) incubatJournal of clinical microbiologyPerformance and workflow comparison of the VITEK MS PRIME and Bruker Biotyper MALDI-TOF MS systems.PMC12345239n/aAlvarado KYarbrough MLBosserman RERoemmich BTarlton NJfalsePerformance and workflow comparison of the VITEK MS PRIME and Bruker Biotyper MALDI-TOF MS systems.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is widely used for rapid identification of bacteria and yeast in clinical labs. The VITEK MS PRIME ("PRIME") is the latest MALDI-TOF MS system from bioMérieux. This study evaluated PRIME's performance and workflow timing against the MALDI Biotyper CA System by Bruker ("Biotyper"). We compared a collection of 154 bacteria and yeast clinical isolates from various specimen types using three methods: Biotyper target with a toothpick, PRIME target with the PICKME nib, and PRIME target with a loop. Positive blood culture isolates were also analyzed using these methods, with high-experience (HEU, <i>n</i> = 300) and low-experience users (LEU, <i>n</i> = 50) after short (6-8 h) and routine (18-24 h) incubat2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Aug2026-05-29T14:27:13.277Z2026-04-08T05:04:47.016ZS-EPMC123452394053983210.1128/jcm.00211-25