Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in clinical microbiology: An updating review.

In the last years, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry gained the attribute of gold-standard method for microbial identification. A rich scientific literature has been produced to evalutate its performance in gram-positive, gram-negative, anaerobic bacteria, and also difficult and exigent pathogens identification, included mycobacteria, yeasts, and molds. Typing in PubMed "MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry" at the date of August 1st 2019, about 14.468 articles can be found. Typing "MALDI-TOF identification" or "MALDI-TOF and microbiology" or "MALDI-TOF and infection" the number of artcicles is reduced to 5747, 3720 and 1746, respectively. In this review, an update of the most important findings reported during last ten years has been provided, confirming the central role of this technology in microbiology.