The Mass Spectrometry Revolution in Clinical Microbiology Part 2: Emerging Applications

Abstract

In part 2 of this series, we highlight some of the exciting and emerging applications of mass spectrometry (MS) in pathogen detection, identification, and characterization. First, we review applications that have been recently introduced into the clinical microbiology laboratory such as direct matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) from positive blood cultures as well as its incorporation into laboratory automation. We then explore how current MALDI-TOF platforms are being developed to determine antimicrobial resistance and strain typing. Finally, we showcase some emerging approaches such as MS imaging and non-MALDI-based MS techniques such as ambient ionization and breath-based pathogen detection.

Keywords: Clinical microbiology; Emerging applications; MALDI-TOF; Mass spectrometry.