title: Verification of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Method for Diagnostic Identification of High-Consequence Bacterial Pathogens.
abstract: We examined the utility of a single matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry method for the identification of security-sensitive biological agents (risk group 3 bacterial pathogens). The goal was 2-fold: to verify a method for inclusion into our scope of accreditation, and to assess the biological safety of extractions. We developed our sample flow to include a tube-based chemical extraction, followed by filtration, before processing on MALDI-TOF MS instruments in a containment level 2 laboratory.
authors.affiliation: National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Dobryan M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tracz
authors.affiliation: National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Kym S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Antonation
authors.affiliation: National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada University of Manitoba, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada cindi.corbett@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
authors.forename: Cindi R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Corbett
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D006801:Humans; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods