MALDI-TOF MS in the clinical microbiology laboratory

Abstract

Traditional methods for microbial identification are often very laborious and time consuming. A new mass spectrometry based technique, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF), has been described as a rapid, practical and low-cost method for this purpose. In this article, primary and possible future applications of this tool are briefly discussed.

Keywords

• MALDI-TOF
• diagnóstico microbiológico
• identificação microbiana
• espectrometria de massas