The State Hygienic Laboratory this month began evaluating a new diagnostic tool that provides rapid identification of infectious agents at a relatively low cost per test

Members of the Disease Control Division pose with the new MALDI-TOF MS they are evaluating along with the manufacturer's representative. Gathered are (first row, from left) Kathy Hebbeln, Beth Albaugh, Stephany McCalester, Mary DeMartino and vendor representative Stevon Goforth. Pictured in the second row (from left) are Drew Fayram, Jennifer Elwood, Mike Last, Ryan Jepson and Jaye Boman.

The matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry or MALDI-TOF MS is expected to significantly reduce testing time because it can identify a large volume of isolates in less time than traditional diagnostic methods. The highly precise instrument also requires less use of traditional biochemicals or other identification systems and performs testing at a lower cost compared to traditional diagnostic methods.

The MALDI-TOF MS was installed at the Hygienic Lab’s Coralville location, and is being evaluated for its accuracy in identifying non-tuberculosis mycobacteria and fungi. The project uses the Research Use Only module because the clinical module is FDA approved only for bacteria and yeast. Drew Fayram, CDC/Associationt of Public Health Laboratories Emerging Infectious Disease fellow on assignment at the Hygienic Laboratory, is conducting the project along with mentors Ryan Jepson, clinical laboratory technical specialist, and Mary DeMartino, interim director of the Disease Control Division.

After three months of identifying organisms in the laboratory, the performance of the MALDI-TOF MS will be evaluated for accuracy. The Hygienic Laboratory will then work to secure funding to make the MALDI-TOF MS a permanent part of the bacteriology department and expand its use to include routine bacterial identification using the FDA-approved clinical module.