title: [Application of mass spectrometry in mycobacteria].
abstract: To date, more than 170 species of mycobacteria have been described, of which more than one third may be pathogenic to humans, representing a significant workload for microbiology laboratories. These species must be identified in clinical practice, which has long been a major problem due to the shortcomings of conventional (phenotypic) methods and the limitations and complexity of modern methods largely based on molecular biology techniques. The aim of this review was to briefly describe different aspects related to the use of MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight) mass spectrometry (MS) for the identification of mycobacteria. Several difficulties are encountered with the use of this methodology in these microorganisms mainly due to the high pathogenicity of some mycobacteria and the peculiar structure of their cell wall, requiring inactivation and special protein extraction protocols. We also analysed other relevant aspects such as culture media, the reference methods employed (gold standard) in the final identification of the different species, the cut-off used to accept data as valid, and the databases of the different mass spectrometry systems available. MS has revolutionized diagnosis in modern microbiology; however, specific improvements are needed to consolidate the use of this technology in mycobacteriology.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España; Unidad de Investigación en Tuberculosis de Barcelona (UITB), Barcelona, España; Grupo de Estudio de Infecciones por Micobacterias (GEIM) de la SEIMC, Madrid, España; Red Española de Investigación en Patología Infecciosa (REIPI), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España. Electronic address: falcaide@bellvitgehospital.cat.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alcaide
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Estudio de Infecciones por Micobacterias (GEIM) de la SEIMC, Madrid, España; Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Málaga, España.
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Palop-Borrás
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Estudio de Infecciones por Micobacterias (GEIM) de la SEIMC, Madrid, España; Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Domingo
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación en Tuberculosis de Barcelona (UITB), Barcelona, España; Grupo de Estudio de Infecciones por Micobacterias (GEIM) de la SEIMC, Madrid, España; Red Española de Investigación en Patología Infecciosa (REIPI), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España; Servei de Microbiologia-CDB, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona-ISGlobal, Departament d'Anatomia Patològica, Farmacologia i Microbiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Griselda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tudó
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003470:Culture Media; D004867:Equipment Design; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D010641:Phenotype; D012015:Reference Standards; D013048:Specimen Handling; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media
keywords: Espectrometría de masas; Identificación; Identification; MALDI-TOF; Mass spectrometry; Micobacterias; Mycobacteria