Evaluation of the Application of PCR and MALDI-TOF MS Methods for the Identification of Pasteurella multocida Strains Isolated from Rabbits in Poland

<i>Pasteurella multocida</i> is a pathogen of numerous mammal and bird species. Based on capsular antigens, five capsular types of <i>P. multocida</i> (A, B, D, E, and F) are distinguished. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of multiplex PCR and MALDI-TOF MS for the identification and capsular typing of <i>P. multocida</i> strains isolated from rabbits. A total of 115 field strains previously classified as <i>P. multocida</i>, isolated in Poland between 1999 and 2020, were analysed. Multiplex PCR was applied for simultaneous species identification and determination of capsular types. Most strains belonged to capsular type A (87.8%), while capsular types D (8.7%) and F (3.5%) were detected less frequently. The examined strains were subsequently identified by MALDI-TOF MS, which correctly assigned all strains to the species <i>P. multocida</i>. The results demonstrate that multiplex PCR is a rapid and reliable alternative to conventional species identification and serological capsular typing of <i>P. multocida</i>. In addition, MALDI-TOF MS proved to be a valuable tool for accurate species-level identification. The application of these methods in routine clinical microbiology laboratories may significantly improve the speed and reliability of <i>P. multocida</i> identification.