Advanced Applications of MALDI-TOF MS – Typing and Beyond

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation - Time of Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has revolutionised species identification in clinical microbiology routine diagnostics and continues to replace conventional and biochemical methods for bacterial species identification. Several studies have shown that MALDI-TOF MS is a reliable, reproducible and cost-effective method for rapid bacterial and fungal species identification at the species level. In this chapter, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities of bacterial typing using MALDI-TOF MS, beyond species identification, and review the current experience with different typing approaches with regards to several clinically significant bacteria.