title: MALDI-TOF MS in clinical parasitology: applications, constraints and prospects.
abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is currently being used for rapid and reproducible identification of bacteria, viruses and fungi in clinical microbiological laboratories. However, some studies have also reported the use of MALDI-TOF MS for identification of parasites, like Leishmania, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba, ticks and fleas. The present review collates all the information available on the use of this technique for parasites, in an effort to assess its applicability and the constraints for identification/diagnosis of parasites and diseases caused by them. Though MALDI-TOF MS-based identification of parasites is currently done by reference laboratories only, in future, this promising technology might surely replace/augment molecular methods in clinical parasitology laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology,University of Delhi South Campus,Benito Juarez Road,New Delhi-110021,India.
authors.forename: Neelja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics,University of Delhi South Campus,Benito Juarez Road,New Delhi-110021,India.
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology,University of Delhi South Campus,Benito Juarez Road,New Delhi-110021,India.
authors.forename: Jugsharan Singh
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Virdi
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: MALDI-TOF; diagnosis; parasites; protozoans; ticks