Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: An effective method for identification and phylogenetic analysis of Leishmania species

Background: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid and reproducible method that has been widely applied for the identification of bacteria and fungi. However, this technique has not yet been applied in clinical laboratories for parasitology, such as for the study of the protozoan Leishmania. Methodology: By using MALDI-TOF MS, mass spectra database entries (MSPs) were created with 7 World Health Organization reference strains in order to establish a rapid method for Leishmania species identification. Furthermore, cluster analysis was performed with 18 Chinese Leishmania isolates. Principal findings: The MSPs of Leishmania corresponded well with our past identification results, and the dendrogram analysis result was more or less similar to that of the phylogenetic analysis performed by multi-locus sequence typing. Conclusions/significance: MALDI-TOF MS is a promising method that offers both rapidity and efficiency for the identification and dendrogram analysis of Leishmania species.