The challenge of MALDI-TOF MS technique in clinical microbiological diagnosis and application

MALDI-TOF MS is a revolutionary and innovative technologyin clinical microbiological diagnosis. Due to its advantages of speed, specificity and ease of operation, MALDI-TOF MS has been rapidly accepted and approved by clinical laboratory. However, many challenges appeared when applied in clinical application. For example, sample preparation needs to be further optimized. Identification techniques have limitations. The quality improvement of database and the diversity of microbial species are still under discussion.The application of antimicrobial susceptibility testing is still controversial.The way ofrare identification resultstransmitting into clinical treatment is still being explored. But the application of MALDI-TOF MS in clinical microbiological diagnosis still needs to be improved.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 559-562) Key words: Spectrometry, mass, matrix-Assisted laser desorption-ionization; Microbiological techniques; Clinical laboratory techniques