Identification of Mycobacterium spp. isolates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)

Abstract

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has recently been widely used in diagnostic microbiological laboratories. It is a cheap and rapid method for the identification of bacteria and micromycetes.

Apart from this purpose, it is also used for the detection of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. It has the potential to be extended for other purposes in microbiology.

The aim of this study was to validate MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of mycobacteria.

Keywords

• Mycobacterium
• MALDI-TOF
• identification
• mass spectrometry