A strategic asset for one health: expanding veterinary pathogen identification with MALDI-TOF MS on the ROVETEMERG platform

Abstract

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has become a cornerstone technology in modern microbiology. Its implementation within veterinary diagnostics, specifically through the Bruker MALDI Biotyper Sirius One system at the ROVETEMERG platform, provides a rapid, high-throughput, and cost-effective method for identifying a wide spectrum of bacterial and fungal pathogens. This article delineates the analytical workflow—from sample preparation and matrix cocrystallization to spectral acquisition and bioinformatic interpretation—and evaluates its performance in a veterinary context. The technique's reliance on conserved ribosomal protein profiles generates species-specific molecular fingerprints, enabling reliable taxonomic identification. The integration of proprietary Bruker libraries with public health databases like CDC MicrobeNet significantly enhances the detection of rare, emerging, and zoonotic pathogens. Furthermore, an analysis of identification data from 2024-2025 reveals a microbial prevalence profile dominated by Escherichia coli (3249 identifications), followed by other significant veterinary pathogens such as Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The platform's demonstrated efficacy in routine diagnostics, outbreak investigation, and antimicrobial stewardship underscores its pivotal role in advancing veterinary medicine and strengthening One Health surveillance systems.