The expanding use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectroscopy in the diagnosis of patients with mycotic diseases

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as a powerful new tool to identify human fungal pathogens and has radically altered the diagnostic mycology workflow at many medical centers around the world.

Areas covered: While most experience is with the identification of yeasts, including species of Candida and Cryptococcus, there is ongoing work investigating the role of MALDI-TOF MS to detect molds, including species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Scedosporium, and Mucormyctes as well as thermally dimorphic fungi.

Expert commentary: In this paper, we review the current knowledge about this important new platform and examine how its expanding use may impact molecular diagnostics and patient care in the years ahead.

KEYWORDS:

• Yeast
• mold
• dimorphic fungi
• mass spectroscopy
• mycotic

Declaration of interest

Dr Walsh receives grants for experimental and clinical antimicrobial pharmacotherapeutics from Astellas, Cubist, Theravance, the Medicines Company, Allergan, Novartis, Merck and Pfizer. He has served as consultant to Astellas, Actavis, ContraFect, Drais, iCo, Novartis, Pfizer, Methylgene, SigmaTau and Trius. Dr McCarthy has served as a paid consultant to Allergan. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewers disclosure

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.