MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry for Microorganism Identification

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid, reliable, and high-throughput diagnostic tool for the identification of microorganisms. The technology is unique in clinical microbiology, allowing laboratories to definitively identify bacterial and fungal isolates within minutes. The rapid turnaround time and minimal cost for consumables per specimen compared with conventional identification methods have resulted in MALDI-TOF MS being increasingly used in clinical laboratories worldwide. This article summarizes the current literature on MALDI-TOF MS for microbial identification and provides a preview of the method's potential future applications in clinical microbiology.