The Use of Mass Spectrometry Technology (MALDI-TOF) in Clinical Microbiology

The Use of Mass Spectrometry Technology (MALDI-TOF) in Clinical Microbiology presents the state of the art for MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and is a key reference work on the topic of mass spectrometry in a clinical setting.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is a diagnostic tool of microbial identification and characterization based on the detection of the mass of molecules. The Use of Mass Spectrometry Technology (MALDI-TOF) in Clinical Microbiology provides updated applications of MALDI-TOF techniques in clinical microbiology, presenting the state of the art with regard to this technology. The first description of the use of mass spectrometry (MS) for bacterial identification was in 1975. By the mid-1990’s it was being used for the identification of bacteria in research settings, and by 2004 the first complete database for bacterial identification was reported. MS is able to quickly characterize a wide variety of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and viruses, increasing its potential application in areas of microbiological diagnosis. The technology may be used for rapid microbial identification at relatively low cost, offering an alternative to conventional laboratory diagnosis and proteomic identification systems. The method has significantly reduced time to identification of a positive sample. Although the main use of the technology has, until now, been identification or typing of bacteria from a positive culture, applications in the field of virology, mycology, microbacteriology and resistances are opening up new opportunities.

Presents updated applications of MALDI-TOF techniques in clinical microbiologyDescribes use of a mass spectrometry device in the lab, the principles of the technology, preparation of samples, device calibration and maintenance, treatment of microorganisms and quality controlPresents key information for researchers including possible uses of the technology, differences between devices, how to interpret results, and future applicationsCovers the topic in a systematic and comprehensive manner of use to both clinicians and researchers

1. Proteomics: technology and applications
2. Basis on mass spectrometry. Technical variants
3. MALDI-TOF commercial platforms for microbial identification
4. Work procedures in MALDI-TOF technology
5. Indications, interpretation of results, advantages, disadvantages and limitations of MALDI-TOF
6. Quality control in MALDI-TOF techniques
7. Application of MALDI-TOF for bacterial identification
8. Detection of bacterial resistance through MALDI-TOF technology
9. Direct identification of pathogens from positive blood cultures by MALDI-TOF technology
10. Use of MALDI-TOF techniques in the diagnosis of urinary tract pathogens
11. Direct application of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to cerebrospinal fluid for pathogen identification
12. Application of MALDI-TOF in clinical virology
13. Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in microbacterial diagnosis
14. Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in fungal diagnosis
15. Application of MALDI-TOF in bacterial strain typing and taxonomy
16. Future applications of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in clinical microbiology