Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...

Methods of Classification and Identification

Methods of Classification and Identification

Bacterial identification relies on a diverse array of techniques to classify and understand microorganisms, each tailored to uncover specific characteristics. Traditional morphological approaches, while still valuable, are limited for closely related or structurally simple organisms. Modern methods integrate biochemical, serological, genetic, and advanced molecular tools to achieve greater accuracy.Morphological and Biochemical TechniquesMorphological characteristics, such as cell shape and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Risk Factors for Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia Among Kidney Transplant Recipients in Southeast France: A 10 Years Case-Control Study.

Clinical transplantation·2026

Same author

<i>In vitro</i> study of ethanol production, ethanol tolerance, and antimicrobial susceptibility of gut microbes associated with liver diseases.

Gut microbes reports·2026

Same author

Clinical characteristics and treatments of imported loiasis patients with microfilaraemia diagnosed in France, 2000-2022.

Travel medicine and infectious disease·2026

Same author

Correction: Detection, transport, and retention of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in saturated sandy porous media: Influence of electrolytes and natural organic matter in flow-through systems.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Rapid identification of Biomphalaria spp. and diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infestation using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

PLoS neglected tropical diseases·2026

Same author

Assessment of Long-Term Sequelae After Severe Malaria: A Retrospective Study.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same journal

Infection by Different Clades of Candidozyma auris in a Galleria mellonella Model: Determining Virulence Levels.

Mycopathologia·2026

Same journal

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Octenidine Against Emerging Dermatophyte Species.

Mycopathologia·2026

Same journal

Candidemia Epidemiology and Antifungal Resistance in Critically-ill Patients During and After COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparison Between Two Hospitals in Greece and Türkiye.

Mycopathologia·2026

Same journal

Long-Read Sequencing and Comparative Genome Analyses of Seven Emergomyces Type-Strains.

Mycopathologia·2026

Same journal

Refractory Dermatophytosis Caused by Trichophyton indotineae: A Case Series Highlighting Antifungal Resistance and Management Challenges.

Mycopathologia·2026

Same journal

Predominance of Fonsecaea nubica in Chromoblastomycosis: A Single-Centre Study from Southern India.

Mycopathologia·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Published on: July 11, 2016

MALDI-TOF-Based Dermatophyte Identification.

Coralie L'Ollivier^1,2, Stéphane Ranque^3,4,5

¹Aix-Marseille University, IP-TPT UMR MD3, 13885, Marseille, France.

|October 14, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) offers a rapid and accurate method for identifying microorganisms. Optimizing protein extraction and using comprehensive spectral libraries are crucial for reliable dermatophyte identification using MALDI-TOF MS.

Keywords:

Clinical laboratory Dermatophyte Identification Mass spectrometry Performance

More Related Videos

Rapid Identification of Gram Negative Bacteria from Blood Culture Broth Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Rapid Identification of Gram Negative Bacteria from Blood Culture Broth Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: May 28, 2014

Use of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and a Custom Database to Characterize Bacteria Indigenous to a Unique Cave Environment Kartchner Caverns, AZ, USA

Use of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and a Custom Database to Characterize Bacteria Indigenous to a Unique Cave Environment Kartchner Caverns, AZ, USA

Published on: January 2, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Published on: July 11, 2016

Rapid Identification of Gram Negative Bacteria from Blood Culture Broth Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Rapid Identification of Gram Negative Bacteria from Blood Culture Broth Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: May 28, 2014

Use of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and a Custom Database to Characterize Bacteria Indigenous to a Unique Cave Environment Kartchner Caverns, AZ, USA

Use of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and a Custom Database to Characterize Bacteria Indigenous to a Unique Cave Environment Kartchner Caverns, AZ, USA

Published on: January 2, 2015

Area of Science:

Clinical Microbiology
Mycology
Mass Spectrometry

Background:

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is increasingly used for routine microorganism identification.
Traditional methods for identifying filamentous fungi, particularly dermatophytes, are time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Accurate identification of dermatophytes is challenging due to taxonomic complexities and variability in identification methods.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the accuracy and identify critical factors for implementing MALDI-TOF MS for dermatophyte identification in clinical laboratories.
To compare MALDI-TOF MS with conventional identification methods and DNA sequencing.

Main Methods:

A review of ten studies published between 2008 and 2015 assessed MALDI-TOF MS accuracy for dermatophytes.
Key procedural steps, including protein extraction and library composition, were analyzed for their impact on identification accuracy.
Variability related to culture media, incubation time, and mass spectrometry instrumentation was examined.

Main Results:

MALDI-TOF MS identification accuracy for dermatophytes varied widely (13.5% to 100%) across studies, linked to procedural inconsistencies.
A complete formic acid-acetonitrile protein extraction and a combined manufacturer and homemade reference spectra library are essential for accuracy.
Identification accuracy was not significantly affected by culture medium, incubation duration, or mass spectrometry instrument type.

Conclusions:

Optimized MALDI-TOF MS protocols, with adequate reference spectral libraries, provide economical and accurate dermatophyte identification.
This technique offers an advantageous alternative to conventional morphology-based identification, improving efficiency in routine clinical laboratories.
MALDI-TOF MS accuracy is comparable to DNA sequencing when appropriate protocols and libraries are employed for dermatophyte identification.