Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: usefulness for taxonomy and epidemiology.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful tool for the species and subspecies classification of a broad spectrum of bacteria, including Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Listeria, and Gram-negative bacteria such as Neisseria, Salmonella, Aeromonas, Campylobacter and Helicobacter. MALDI-TOF MS has also been used for the rapid identification and typing of potential bioterrorism agents, including Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis and Bacillus anthracis.