Rapid Identification of Organisms in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory by MALDITOF Mass Spectrometry
Identification of organisms in the clinical microbiology laboratory is currently based on
phenotypic tests such as Gram-stain and biochemical reactions. In some cases these tests
take hours to a day or longer to complete. The ability to rapidly identify bacteria and
yeast would expedite organism appropriate patient treatment. We will examine data from
recent publications proposing that MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry provides rapid,
accurate, inexpensive identification of bacteria and yeast. MALDI-TOF MS is currently
not FDA approved for this use in the U.S., but is being used widely and successfully in
Europe. I will present data about the type of testing performed at Barnes Jewish Hospital
microbiology lab, and propose that once MALDI-TOF MS is approved for use it should
become our “first test”, replacing the majority of current identification methods.