Abstract
Taenia saginata is a helminth that can cause taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in cattle. A species-specific diagnosis and differentiation from related species (e.g., Taenia solium) is crucial for individual patient management and disease control programs. Diagnostic stool microscopy is limited by low sensitivity and does not allow discrimination between T. saginata and T. solium. 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 T. saginata proglottids obtained from a human patient, and to assess the effects of different sample storage media on the technique’s diagnostic accuracy. We generated T. saginata-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, T. saginata proglottids could be successfully differentiated from other helminths, as well as bacteria and fungi. Additionally, we analyzed T. saginata 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 T. saginata, and that water, sodium chloride, and ethanol are equally effective storage solutions for prolonged periods of at least 24 weeks.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to determine whether MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) can be used as a diagnostic tool for the identification of T. saginata proglottids, and whether the use of different storage media may affect the technique’s diagnostic accuracy
Saginata can be diagnosed by MALDI-TOF MS, and that its protein spectral analysis allows for reliable differentiation from other helminths, bacteria, and fungi
For the identification of Fasciola spp. [17], cyathostomins [27], and lice [26], 70% (v/v) ethanol was used as a storage solution, while studies on Anisakis spp. [19], Dirofilaria spp., and Ascaris spp. [28] employed a sodium chloride solution, which was sometimes even supplemented with antibiotics to prevent bacterial contamination
Summary
The beef tapeworm, Taenia saginata, is a zoonotic cestode that can cause taeniasis, an intestinal infection in humans, and cysticercosis in bovines [1]. It is the most common and most widely distributed Taenia species. While humans are the definitive host, cattle serve as intermediate hosts for T. saginata. Taenia solium and Taenia asiatica are less frequently occurring species, with T. solium being of particular clinical relevance, as it gives rise to intestinal disease and the potentially fatal human (neuro-)cysticercosis [2]. Humans acquire intestinal Taenia infection through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat of infected animals. Intestinal taeniasis mainly causes mild and unspecific symptoms, such as weight
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