Application of MALDI-TOF for Bacterial Identification

In the recent years, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identification has replaced standard phenotypic testing in several hospital clinical microbiology laboratories owing to their simplicity, rapidity, and accuracy of results. For the identification of pathogens in blood samples, microbes require preparation before MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Reportedly, microbiological diagnosis of bacteria usually relies on the subculture of positive blood culture bottles to a solid medium and 18-24. hours of incubation before identification using a biochemical test. The rapid identification of microorganisms is essential for the initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy of infections. MALDI-TOF MS will become a widely used technique in routine clinical laboratories for bacterial identification replacing automates and other phenotypic techniques.