Mass Spectrometry in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Part I: PCR-MS

For some time, mass spectrometry (MS) has been an important diagnostic tool in the field of clinical chemistry; however, the technology is now making inroads in the clinical microbiology laboratory. In part I of this series, we discuss how MS coupled with PCR has shown great promise for direct-from-specimen identification and multiplexed detection of microorganisms. These and other promising MS technologies could serve as important new tools to meet the clinical diagnostic challenges of the 21st century.