Fig. 2.

A simplified illustration for the general analysis of clinical microbials by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). MALDI-TOF MS allows the identification of microbial pathogens cultured on agar, in blood culture bottles, or directly from urine samples. After being spotted on the plate, the sample is covered with a matrix and then desorbed and ionized by a laser to generate a specific fingerprint. To improve the spectral generation, formic acid and ethanol-based methods are optional. A fingerprint pattern is searched against a microbial standard library for the most matching spectra