title: Applications of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in clinical diagnostic microbiology.
abstract: Until recently, microbial identification in clinical diagnostic laboratories has mainly relied on conventional phenotypic and gene sequencing identification techniques. The development of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) devices has revolutionized the routine identification of microorganisms in clinical microbiology laboratories by introducing an easy, rapid, high throughput, low-cost, and efficient identification technique. This technology has been adapted to the constraint of clinical diagnostic laboratories and has the potential to replace and/or complement conventional identification techniques for both bacterial and fungal strains. Using standardized procedures, the resolution of MALDI-TOF MS allows accurate identification at the species level of most Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains with the exception of a few difficult strains that require more attention and further development of the method. Similarly, the routine identification by MALDI-TOF MS of yeast isolates is reliable and much quicker than conventional techniques. Recent studies have shown that MALDI-TOF MS has also the potential to accurately identify filamentous fungi and dermatophytes, providing that specific standardized procedures are established for these microorganisms. Moreover, MALDI-TOF MS has been used successfully for microbial typing and identification at the subspecies level, demonstrating that this technology is a potential efficient tool for epidemiological studies and for taxonomical classification.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Antony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Croxatto
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Prod'hom
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greub
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*