Search

Objectives Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) has revolutionized clinical microbiology laboratories, enabling the identification of microorganisms in minutes. Although this advancement has significantly enhanced patient care by providing early diagnosis, the use of MALDI-TOF for routine detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains an ongoing area of research. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and summarize the existing literature on MALDI-TOF–based methodologies for detecting AMR. Methods The PubMed, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched for articles published up to July 2023. Publications were carefully screened, and inclusion was based on their relevance to the topic and detailed explanations of the methodologies employed. Results We reviewed 49 articles and identified various MALDI-TOF–based approaches for detecting AMR that we grouped in 2 main categories: (1) bacterial growth detection following a brief incubation with antibiotics and (2) identification of specific mass spectral profiles associated with drug resistance. Recently, the use of machine learning algorithms has been explored to detect characteristic patterns associated with AMR. Thorough evaluation of each study's procedures was conducted to determine their potential for implementation in clinical laboratories. Conclusions MALDI-TOF shows promise as a tool for AMR detection, but its readiness for wider clinical adoption relies on ongoing research, development of algorithms and software for automated interpretation of mass spectra, and validation efforts. Its role in routine clinical practice may evolve as technology and knowledge progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reflects the initiation, establishment, and development of the International Journal of Librarianship (IJoL), an open access academic journal published by the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA). Sustainability and high quality have been set as the top priorities by the core editorial team throughout the journey of the creation, promotion, and advancement of this journal. The opportunities, challenges, and success are discussed along with the future directions of IJoL. This article contributes to the literature in the creation and development of academic journals, especially the open access publications in library and information science (LIS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]