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PCR/Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry as an Infectious Disease Diagnostic Tool

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Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Microbiology

Abstract

The PCR/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) system is built on the principle of universal detection and specific identification. The technology detects a wide variety of organisms using broad-spectrum PCR primers designed to amplify regions that vary in sequence (and therefore in base pairs) composition among the targeted organisms. Mass measurements achieved by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis of the resulting amplicons provide data that is computationally analyzed to generate base pair composition signatures. The process is automated, allowing for rapid characterization of diverse microbes from more than 780 cultured or uncultured specimens in less than 1 day. The performance studies as well as our experience using PCR/ESI-MS in clinical practice indicate that this method provides useful clinical information; thus, this type of modern molecular methods deserves further development, for broad implementation into clinical practices will provide improved care of severe infections and reduced use of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.

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Correspondence to Volkan Özenci .

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Özenci, V., Strålin, K. (2018). PCR/Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry as an Infectious Disease Diagnostic Tool. In: Tang, YW., Stratton, C. (eds) Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Microbiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33900-9_22

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