Verification of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Method for Diagnostic Identification of High-Consequence Bacterial Pathogens

Dobryan M Tracz; Kym S Antonation; Cindi R Corbett

doi:10.1128/JCM.02709-15

Verification of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Method for Diagnostic Identification of High-Consequence Bacterial Pathogens

J Clin Microbiol. 2016 Mar;54(3):764-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02709-15. Epub 2015 Dec 16.

Authors

Dobryan M Tracz¹, Kym S Antonation¹, Cindi R Corbett²

Affiliations

¹ National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
² National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada University of Manitoba, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada cindi.corbett@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

Abstract

We examined the utility of a single matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry method for the identification of security-sensitive biological agents (risk group 3 bacterial pathogens). The goal was 2-fold: to verify a method for inclusion into our scope of accreditation, and to assess the biological safety of extractions. We developed our sample flow to include a tube-based chemical extraction, followed by filtration, before processing on MALDI-TOF MS instruments in a containment level 2 laboratory.

MeSH terms

Bacteria / classification*
Bacterial Typing Techniques*
Humans
Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization* / methods