Consolidating the potency of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in viral diagnosis: Extrapolating its applicability for COVID diagnosis?

MALDI-TOF-MS has essentially delivered more than expected with respect to clinical pathogens. Viruses are the most versatile entities of clinical pathogens that have challenged well-established microbiological methodologies. This review evaluates the existing scenario with respect to MALDI TOF-MS analytical technique in the successful analysis of viral pathogens. The milestones achieved with respect to detection and identification of COVID-19 has been presented. The fact that only a handful of scattered applications for COVID-19 exist has been pointed out in the review. Further, the lapses in the utilization of the available state-of-the art MALDI-TOF-MS variants/benchmark sophistications for COVID-19 analysis, are highlighted. When the world is seeking for rapid solutions for early, sensitive, rapid COVID-19 diagnosis, maybe MALDI-TOF-MS, may be the actual 'gold standard'. Reverting to the title, this review emphasizes that there is a need for extrapolating MALDI-TOF-MS for COVID-19 analysis and this calls for urgent scientific attention.