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Evaluating Different Storage Media for Identification of <i>Taenia saginata</i> Proglottids Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
oleh: Tabea P. Wendel, Maureen Feucherolles, Jacqueline Rehner, Sven Poppert, Jürg Utzinger, Sören L. Becker, Issa Sy
| Format: | Article |
|---|---|
| Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2021-09-01 |
Deskripsi
<i>Taenia saginata</i> is a helminth that can cause taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in cattle. A species-specific diagnosis and differentiation from related species (e.g., <i>Taenia solium</i>) is crucial for individual patient management and disease control programs. Diagnostic stool microscopy is limited by low sensitivity and does not allow discrimination between <i>T. saginata</i> and <i>T. solium</i>. Molecular diagnostic approaches are not routinely available outside research laboratories. Recently, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) was proposed as a potentially suitable technique for species-specific helminth diagnosis. However, standardized protocols and commercial databases for parasite identification are currently unavailable, and pre-analytical factors have not yet been assessed. The purpose of this study was to employ MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of <i>T. saginata</i> proglottids obtained from a human patient, and to assess the effects of different sample storage media on the technique’s diagnostic accuracy. We generated <i>T. saginata</i>-specific main spectral profiles and added them to an in-house database for MALDI-TOF MS-based diagnosis of different helminths. Based on protein spectra, <i>T. saginata</i> proglottids could be successfully differentiated from other helminths, as well as bacteria and fungi. Additionally, we analyzed <i>T. saginata</i> proglottids stored in (i) LC–MS grade water; (ii) 0.45% sodium chloride; (iii) 70% ethanol; and (iv) 37% formalin after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 weeks of storage. MALDI-TOF MS correctly identified 97.2–99.7% of samples stored in water, sodium chloride, and ethanol, with log-score values ≥2.5, thus indicating reliable species identification. In contrast, no protein spectra were obtained for samples stored in formalin. We conclude that MALDI-TOF-MS can be successfully employed for the identification of <i>T. saginata</i>, and that water, sodium chloride, and ethanol are equally effective storage solutions for prolonged periods of at least 24 weeks.