The essence on mass spectrometry based microbial diagnostics

In recent years, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry has become an important bioanalytical method to detect profiles of proteins and peptides derived from whole bacterial cells. This accurate molecular-phenotypic method can be easily applied to robustly detect bacteria on the genus, species and in some cases on the subspecies level. Standardised laboratory protocols for the preparation of abundant bacterial proteins and the development of tailored data analysis software, as well as high-quality databases of microbial reference mass spectra, made the procedure attractive to replace phenotypic or biochemical procedures for identification of bacteria and other microorganisms. Moreover, genotypic and functional mass spectrometry based methods to detect for example bacterial strains or antibiotic resistance may become useful in the coming years. In general, mass spectrometry is a powerful tool to facilitate routine microbial diagnostics.

► Mass spectrometry analysis of protein mass patterns has been adapted for the routine identification of bacteria. ► This molecular-phenotyping method provides easy and rapid identification of bacteria and other microorganisms. ► The method is currently being implemented in many laboratories to improve routine microbial diagnostics. ► Reliable reference spectra and further validation will increase its wide acceptance for microbial diagnostics. ► Mass spectrometry can be applied for genotypic detection of microbial nucleic acids or for functional assays.