Issue 14, 2022

Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for virus identification: a review

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly or indirectly affects every individual worldwide. The fight against SARS-CoV-2 is based on the rapid and accurate diagnosis and subsequent isolation of infected individuals. Therefore, the demands for the scientific development of diagnostic methods for the confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 are enormous. Currently, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the main method used for detecting viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and is considered the gold standard for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) identification. However, various alternatives have been investigated due to the time and cost demands of this method or to shortages of reagents. In this review, we focus on matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionisation with time-of-flight analyser mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) techniques as potential tools for the diagnosis of viruses with an emphasis on SARS-CoV-2. MALDI-TOF is commonly used in clinical laboratories for bacterial characterization and identification, but in the field of clinical virology, MALDI-TOF remains only a promising technology for routine diagnosis. This review provides an overview of the development of clinical virology from the point of view of using MALDI-TOF for virus identification and as a possible diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV-2 detection. In addition, this review summarizes the current state of standard methods for virus diagnostics including the preparation of clinical samples.

Graphical abstract: Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for virus identification: a review

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
11 Ube 2022
Accepted
01 Jan 2022
First published
17 Jan 2022

Analyst, 2022,147, 3131-3154

Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for virus identification: a review

T. Do, R. Guran, V. Adam and O. Zitka, Analyst, 2022, 147, 3131 DOI: 10.1039/D2AN00431C

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