Handheld versions of mass spectrometry, particularly PCR-ESI/MS, could provide pan-domain diagnostic capability at the point of care, easily deployable for remote field operations. Technology to rapidly conduct on-site diagnosis for any pathogen—or at least to identify the presence of a previously uncharacterized pathogen—could be a critical tool for rapidly characterizing and initiating response activities for an outbreak, particularly those involving emerging, rare, or novel pathogens or in areas without ready access to advanced laboratory facilities.
