MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in the clinical microbiology laboratory; beyond identification

Publication date: Available online 21 May 2015 Source:Methods in Microbiology Author(s): Sören Schubert , Markus Kostrzewa Within less than a decade, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has become a gold standard for microbial identification in clinical microbiology laboratories. Besides identification of microorganisms, the typing of single strains as well as antibiotic and antimycotic resistance testing has come into focus in order to speed up the diagnostic process. Similarly to microbial identification, the main drivers are the reduction of cost per test and the more rapid diagnosis compared to conventional methods. This chapter shall give an overview on the different strategies to exploit this technology for typing of bacteria and fungi below the species level and to determine the antibiotic resistance of single isolates.
Source: Methods in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research