title: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: a new tool in diagnostic investigation of nail disorders?
abstract: The incidence and prevalence of onychomycosis are rising worldwide. Common diagnostic techniques often lack sensitivity or specificity. Differentiation between non-infectious nail disorders is frequently not possible. The aim of this study was to establish a better diagnostic routine procedure based on modern mass spectrometric peptide analysis techniques. One hundred and fifty-five nail samples from 145 patients with clinically suspected onychomycosis (n = 96, 62%) and without onychomycosis [e.g. nail psoriasis or nail dystrophy resulting from eczema (n = 59, 38%)] were investigated using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) peptide mass fingerprinting in comparison with standard techniques. We demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS represents a precise, robust and fast tool in diagnostic investigation of nail disorders, which is superior to common standard methods.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pföhler
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hollemeyer
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heinzle
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Altmeyer
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Graeber
authors.forename: Cornelia S L
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Sven Uwe
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Jager
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tilgen