Mass Spectrometry in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Mass spectrometry (MS) has a long history in which it has undergone a transformation from an instrument used in elemental analysis to a flexible tool for bio-analysis. Recent years have seen the adoption of the mass spectrometer in the (clinical) microbiology laboratory, as a tool for both research and diagnostic purposes. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) has been the frontrunner in routine identification, enabling pathogen identification through whole cell extract profiling. However, many more MS-based applications related to clinical microbiology and the study of infectious diseases exist. This review provides an overview of recently published studies using MS for, i.e., pathogen identification, exploration of potential diagnostic makers and dosage studies, exemplifying the versatility of the technique and its potential applications in the study of microbes.