Identification of Challenging Dermatophyte Species Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
This study shows that a specialized technique called MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can accurately identify fungal skin infections by analyzing protein patterns. Researchers created a customized library of local fungal species that, when combined with commercial databases, improved identification accuracy from 16% to 91%. This advancement helps doctors quickly identify the exact type of fungal infection patients have, enabling faster and more appropriate treatment decisions.