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Filigenzi MS. Mass spectrometry in animal health laboratories: recent history, current applications, and future directions. J Vet Diagn Invest 2024:10406387241270071. [PMID: 39175303 DOI: 10.1177/10406387241270071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS) has long been considered a cornerstone technique in analytical chemistry. However, the use of MS in animal health laboratories (AHLs) has been limited, however, largely because of the expense involved in purchasing and maintaining these systems. Nevertheless, since ~2020, the use of MS techniques has increased significantly in AHLs. As expected, developments in new instrumentation have shown significant benefits in veterinary analytical toxicology as well as bacteriology. Creative researchers continue to push the boundaries of MS analysis, and MS now promises to impact disciplines other than toxicology and bacteriology. I include a short discussion of MS instrumentation, more detailed discussions of the MS techniques introduced since ~2020, and a variety of new techniques that promise to bring the benefits of MS to disciplines such as virology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Filigenzi
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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2
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Dorner MB, Wilking H, Skiba M, Wilk L, Steinberg M, Worbs S, Çeken S, Kaygusuz S, Simon S, Becher F, Mikolajewska A, Kornschober C, Bütler T, Jourdan-Da-Silva N, An der Heiden M, Schaade L, Stark K, Dorner BG, Frank C. A large travel-associated outbreak of iatrogenic botulism in four European countries following intragastric botulinum neurotoxin injections for weight reduction, Türkiye, February to March 2023. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300203. [PMID: 37289431 PMCID: PMC10318948 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.23.2300203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In March 2023, 34 associated cases of iatrogenic botulism were detected in Germany (30 cases), Switzerland (two cases), Austria (one case), and France (one case). An alert was rapidly disseminated via European Union networks and communication platforms (Food- and Waterborne Diseases and Zoonoses Network, EpiPulse, Early Warning and Response System) and the International Health Regulation mechanism; the outbreak was investigated in a European collaboration. We traced sources of the botulism outbreak to treatment of weight loss in Türkiye, involving intragastric injections of botulinum neurotoxin. Cases were traced using a list of patients who had received this treatment. Laboratory investigations of the first 12 German cases confirmed nine cases. The application of innovative and highly sensitive endopeptidase assays was necessary to detect minute traces of botulinum neurotoxin in patient sera. The botulism notification requirement for physicians was essential to detect this outbreak in Germany. The surveillance case definition of botulism should be revisited and inclusion of cases of iatrogenic botulism should be considered as these cases might lack standard laboratory confirmation yet warrant public health action. Any potential risks associated with the use of botulinum neurotoxins in medical procedures need to be carefully balanced with the expected benefits of the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bernhard Dorner
- Biological Toxins (ZBS3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hendrik Wilking
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Skiba
- Biological Toxins (ZBS3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Wilk
- Biological Toxins (ZBS3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Steinberg
- Biological Toxins (ZBS3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sylvia Worbs
- Biological Toxins (ZBS3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabahat Çeken
- General Directorate of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Sedat Kaygusuz
- General Directorate of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Stéphanie Simon
- Université Paris Saclay, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (INRAE), Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - François Becher
- Université Paris Saclay, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (INRAE), Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Agata Mikolajewska
- Strategy and Incident Response (ZBS7), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Timo Bütler
- National International Health Regulation (IHR) Focal Point for Switzerland, Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, Division of Communicable Diseases, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Maria An der Heiden
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Stark
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Brigitte Gertrud Dorner
- Biological Toxins (ZBS3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to the work and share the last authorship
| | - Christina Frank
- These authors contributed equally to the work and share the last authorship
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Wang J, Xu H, Zhang C, Chen J, Wang C, Li X, Zhang Y, Xie J. Serotype Features of 17 Suspected Cases of Foodborne Botulism in China 2019-2022 Revealed by a Multiplex Immuno-Endopep-MS Method. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:869874. [PMID: 35450283 PMCID: PMC9016322 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.869874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of botulism caused by multiple serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is still a challenge due to the lack of a reliable detection method. The present study develops a feasible laboratorial method based on an isotope dilution Immuno-Endopep-MS to detect BoNTs and determine their serotypes and activities in clinical samples. Eleven positive foodborne botulism cases out of a total of 17 suspected cases in China, 2019–2022, were determined by the established method. Blood, urine, vomitus, gastric mucosa samples, and food samples were employed and evidenced to be suitable for the detection. Results showed that, although single type A-intoxication was still the first cause among these foodborne botulism cases, other causes involving type E, type B, and their mixed types were also determined, providing a glimpse to the serotype profile of botulism happened in recent years in China. Furthermore, in order to provide insights into in vivo profiles of toxin serotypes, a comprehensive analysis of clinical specimens collected from one family of four patients was performed during a clinically and therapeutically relevant time frame. Serotypes and concentrations of BoNT in specimens revealed a good correlation with symptoms and progresses of disease. Additionally, serum was proved to be more suitable for detection of BoNT/A with a detection window up to 12 days. A urine sample, although rarely reported for foodborne botulism diagnosis, was validated to be suitable for testing BoNTs, with a longer detection window up to 25 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive analytical research on in vivo profiles of serotypes A, B, and E in different types of specimens from mixed botulism cases. Our method and findings facilitate the toxin detection and identification by clinical diagnostic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Wang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Xu
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Yongding Road Outpatient Department, Jingnan Medical District of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Poisoning Treatment Department, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinying Li
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yajiao Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwei Xie
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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Plößl T, Vujtovic-Ockenga N, Kehrenberg C, Klaubert B. Multi-dimensional nanoscale liquid chromatography and nano-electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry for detection of Clostridium botulinum type C and the produced botulinum neurotoxin type C complex. J Microbiol Methods 2021; 193:106397. [PMID: 34952090 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin types C, D and their mosaic forms C/D and D/C produced mainly by Clostridium botulinum types C and D cause botulism in animals and belong to the most toxic substances for poultry and fish. In addition to intoxications, also toxoinfections with C. botulinum types C and D play a role that should not be underestimated, especially in veterinary medicine. Contrary to other botulinum neurotoxin complexes (BT x), the biosynthesis of these types is phage-encoded. Currently, the gold standard for neurotoxin detection in cases of clinical botulism is the mouse bioassay. In the last few years, alternatives for replacing this mouse bioassay have become increasingly interesting for the detection and characterisation of botulinum neurotoxins. Therefore, immunological techniques based mainly on antibodies, PCR or mass spectral methods have been developed. In this context, the most promising development is that of different endopeptidase assays. In our study, we were able to show that the 2D-nano-LC-MS/MS method presented by Klaubert et al. 2009 especially for detecting BT x A, B, E and F in complex culture media can also be used for detecting BT x C. The focus was therefore on transferring this method to detecting BT x C and pointing out necessary modifications of this current method. For method development, we used different culture preparations and sample conditions. To find out whether BT x C is just as stable against acetic peptic pretreatment as other BT x, we used sample preparations with and without peptic pretreatment. The decisive difference to previous publications is the detection of produced BT x C directly from culture supernatant of different strains of C. botulinum type C. In addition, we present a new approach of detecting protein fragments from C3 and C2 toxin and some specific host cell proteins of the bacterium Clostridium spp. in order to specify the carrier bacterium, therefore verifying the presence of an intact neurotoxin-encoding phage also without directly detecting BT x C and thus the possibility to produce neurotoxin. Herein, we describe a new method to examine environmental samples or suspected feed samples in cases of toxoinfections as well as finding out the causes of clinical botulism. This new approach is particularly interesting for veterinary medicine, especially for diseases like chronic botulism in cows or equine grass sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Plößl
- Supervisory Centre South for Public Law Tasks of the Bundeswehr Medical Service, Dachauer Straße 128, 80637 München, Germany.
| | - Nada Vujtovic-Ockenga
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Munich, Ingolstädter Landstraße 102, 85748 Garching-Hochbrück, Germany
| | - Corinna Kehrenberg
- Institute for Veterinary Food Science, Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Straße 92, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Bernd Klaubert
- Federal Ministry of Health, Friedrichstraße 108, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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5
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Current Developments in Diagnostic Assays for Laboratory Confirmation and Investigation of Botulism. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 60:e0013920. [PMID: 34586891 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00139-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of botulinum neurotoxin or isolation of the toxin producing organism is required for the laboratory confirmation of botulism in clinical specimens. In an effort to reduce animal testing required by the gold standard method of botulinum neurotoxin detection, the mouse bioassay, many technologies have been developed to detect and characterize the causative agent of botulism. Recent advancements in these technologies have led to improvements in technical performance of diagnostic assays; however, many emerging assays have not been validated for the detection of all serotypes in complex clinical and environmental matrices. Improvements to culture protocols, endopeptidase-based assays, and a variety of immunological and molecular methods have provided laboratories with a variety of testing options to evaluate and incorporate into their testing algorithms. While significant advances have been made to improve these assays, additional work is necessary to evaluate these methods in various clinical matrices and to establish standardized criteria for data analysis and interpretation.
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Antonucci L, Locci C, Schettini L, Clemente MG, Antonucci R. Infant botulism: an underestimated threat. Infect Dis (Lond) 2021; 53:647-660. [PMID: 33966588 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2021.1919753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Infant botulism (IB) is defined as a potentially life-threatening neuroparalytic disorder affecting children younger than 12 months. It is caused by ingestion of food or dust contaminated by Clostridium botulinum spores, which germinate in the infant's large bowel and produce botulinum neurotoxin. Although the real impact of IB is likely underestimated worldwide, the USA has the highest number of cases. The limited reporting of IB in many countries is probably due to diagnostic difficulties and nonspecific presentation. The onset is usually heralded by constipation, followed by bulbar palsy, and then by a descending bilateral symmetric paralysis; ultimately, palsy can involve respiratory and diaphragmatic muscles, leading to respiratory failure. The treatment is based on supportive care and specific therapy with Human Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous (BIG-IV), and should be started as early as possible. The search for new human-like antibody preparations that are both highly effective and well tolerated has led to the creation of a mixture of oligoclonal antibodies that are highly protective and can be produced in large quantities without the use of animals. Ongoing research for future treatment of IB involves the search for new molecular targets to produce a new generation of laboratory-produced antitoxins, and the development of new vaccines with safety and efficacy profiles that can be scaled up for clinical use. This narrative literature review aims to provide a readable synthesis of the best current literature on microbiological, epidemiological and clinical features of IB, and a practical guide for its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Antonucci
- Academic Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Cristian Locci
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Livia Schettini
- Academic Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Clemente
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Antonucci
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Masters AM, Palmer DG. Confirmation of botulism diagnosis in Australian bird samples by ELISA and RT rtPCR. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 33:684-694. [PMID: 33955287 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211014486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed a sandwich ELISA that detects Clostridium botulinum C and D toxins and reverse-transcription real-time PCRs (RT-rtPCRs) that detect botulinum C and D toxin genes, respectively, to replace the mouse bioassay. The toxin genes were closely associated with the toxin molecules and used as surrogates for the presence of toxin. Samples (638) from 103 clinical cases of birds (302) with suspected botulinum toxicity came from wild birds and poultry (9 cases). Samples tested included blood serum, other body fluids, various tissues, gut contents, maggots, water, and sediment. Botulism was diagnosed in 34 cases (all of which had positive samples in the ELISA, the C toxin gene RT-rtPCR, or both assays). Botulism was suspected in 16 cases (each of which had 1 positive sample either in the ELISA or the C toxin gene RT-rtPCR). In the remaining 53 cases, no samples were positive, but botulism could not be excluded in 32 of these cases, whereas there was no indication of botulism or another diagnosis in 21 cases. The D toxin gene was not detected in any of the clinical samples. No C or D toxin genes were detected in 71 pooled cloacal swabs from 213 healthy migratory birds. The use of an ELISA that detects botulinum C and D toxins in combination with a RT-rtPCR for the botulinum C toxin gene can help confirm the diagnosis of botulism in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Masters
- DPIRD Diagnostics & Laboratory Services, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Western Australia, South Perth, Australia
| | - Dieter G Palmer
- DPIRD Diagnostics & Laboratory Services, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Western Australia, South Perth, Australia
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8
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Tevell Åberg A, Karlsson I, Hedeland M. Modification and validation of the Endopep-mass spectrometry method for botulinum neurotoxin detection in liver samples with application to samples collected during animal botulism outbreaks. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 413:345-354. [PMID: 33119784 PMCID: PMC7806574 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-03001-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known and they cause the paralytic disease botulism in humans and animals. In order to diagnose botulism, active BoNT must be detected in biological material. Endopep-MS is a sensitive and selective method for serum samples, based on antibody capture, enzymatic cleavage of target peptides, and detection of cleavage products using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In many cases of animal botulism, serum samples are not available or they do not contain detectable amounts of BoNT and liver sampling is an alternative for postmortem examinations. However, the Endopep-MS method is impaired by the inherent protease activity of liver samples. In the presented study, the Endopep-MS method has been successfully modified and validated for analysis of cattle, horse, and avian liver samples, introducing a combination of a salt washing step and a protease inhibitor cocktail. These modifications resulted in a substantial decrease in interfering signals and increase in BoNT-specific signals. This led to a substantial improvement in sensitivity for especially BoNT-C and C/D which are among the most prominent serotypes for animal botulism. Botulism was diagnosed with the new method in liver samples from dead cattle and birds from outbreaks in Sweden. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annica Tevell Åberg
- Department of Chemistry, Environment, and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ida Karlsson
- Department of Chemistry, Environment, and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Hedeland
- Department of Chemistry, Environment, and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden. .,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden.
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9
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Frye EA, Egan C, Perry MJ, Crouch EE, Burbank KE, Kelly KM. Outbreak of botulism type A in dairy cows detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020; 32:722-726. [PMID: 32715936 DOI: 10.1177/1040638720943127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty-eight lactating dairy cattle in New York State were exposed to botulism toxin; 12 died and 16 recovered but never returned to full productivity. Pieces of a raccoon carcass were found in the total mixed ration on the first day of the outbreak. Clinical signs included anorexia, decreased milk production, decreased tongue tone, profound weakness, and recumbency. Clostridium botulinum type A (BoNT/A) was detected in rumen contents from 2 deceased cows via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In addition, C. botulinum type C was cultured from the liver of a third cow, and C. botulinum neurotoxin-producing type C gene (bont/C) was detected via real-time PCR. On postmortem examination, 4 cows had findings suggestive of toxic myopathy, but the cause and significance of these lesions is unknown given that botulism is typically not associated with gross or histologic lesions. This outbreak of BoNT/A in cattle in North America was diagnosed via MALDI-TOF MS, a rapid and sensitive modality for detection of botulinum preformed neurotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha A Frye
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY (Frye, Crouch, Kelly).,Wadsworth Center Biodefense Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY (Egan, Perry).,Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Lowville, NY (Burbank)
| | - Christina Egan
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY (Frye, Crouch, Kelly).,Wadsworth Center Biodefense Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY (Egan, Perry).,Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Lowville, NY (Burbank)
| | - Michael J Perry
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY (Frye, Crouch, Kelly).,Wadsworth Center Biodefense Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY (Egan, Perry).,Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Lowville, NY (Burbank)
| | - Esther E Crouch
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY (Frye, Crouch, Kelly).,Wadsworth Center Biodefense Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY (Egan, Perry).,Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Lowville, NY (Burbank)
| | - Kyle E Burbank
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY (Frye, Crouch, Kelly).,Wadsworth Center Biodefense Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY (Egan, Perry).,Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Lowville, NY (Burbank)
| | - Kathleen M Kelly
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY (Frye, Crouch, Kelly).,Wadsworth Center Biodefense Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY (Egan, Perry).,Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Lowville, NY (Burbank)
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Nepal MR, Jeong TC. Alternative Methods for Testing Botulinum Toxin: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2020; 28:302-310. [PMID: 32126735 PMCID: PMC7327137 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2019.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum toxins are neurotoxic modular proteins composed of a heavy chain and a light chain connected by a disulfide bond and are produced by Clostridium botulinum. Although lethally toxic, botulinum toxin in low doses is clinically effective in numerous medical conditions, including muscle spasticity, strabismus, hyperactive urinary bladder, excessive sweating, and migraine. Globally, several companies are now producing products containing botulinum toxin for medical and cosmetic purposes, including the reduction of facial wrinkles. To test the efficacy and toxicity of botulinum toxin, animal tests have been solely and widely used, resulting in the inevitable sacrifice of hundreds of animals. Hence, alternative methods are urgently required to replace animals in botulinum toxin testing. Here, the various alternative methods developed to test the toxicity and efficacy of botulinum toxins have been briefly reviewed and future perspectives have been detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Raj Nepal
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Cheon Jeong
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
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11
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Rajkovic A, Jovanovic J, Monteiro S, Decleer M, Andjelkovic M, Foubert A, Beloglazova N, Tsilla V, Sas B, Madder A, De Saeger S, Uyttendaele M. Detection of toxins involved in foodborne diseases caused by Gram‐positive bacteria. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2020; 19:1605-1657. [DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreja Rajkovic
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience EngineeringGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Jelena Jovanovic
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience EngineeringGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Silvia Monteiro
- Laboratorio Analises, Instituto Superior TecnicoUniversidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Marlies Decleer
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience EngineeringGhent University Ghent Belgium
- Laboratory of Food Analysis, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Mirjana Andjelkovic
- Operational Directorate Food, Medicines and Consumer SafetyService for Chemical Residues and Contaminants Brussels Belgium
| | - Astrid Foubert
- Laboratory of Food Analysis, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Natalia Beloglazova
- Laboratory of Food Analysis, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesGhent University Ghent Belgium
- Nanotechnology Education and Research CenterSouth Ural State University Chelyabinsk Russia
| | - Varvara Tsilla
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience EngineeringGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Benedikt Sas
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience EngineeringGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Annemieke Madder
- Laboratorium for Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry, Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Laboratory of Food Analysis, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Mieke Uyttendaele
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience EngineeringGhent University Ghent Belgium
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Koike H, Kanda M, Hayashi H, Matsushima Y, Yoshikawa S, Ohba Y, Hayashi M, Nagano C, Sekimura K, Otsuka K, Kamiie J, Sasamoto T, Hashimoto T. Development of an alternative approach for detecting botulinum neurotoxin type A in honey: Analysis of non-toxic peptides with a reference labelled protein via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2020; 37:1359-1373. [PMID: 32515305 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2020.1766121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we developed a reference labelled protein containing the partial amino acid sequence of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNTA). We also applied it as an internal standard to detect specific and non-toxic peptides originated from BoNTA in honey with the use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Original proteins in the honey sample were collected through a two-step process that included solubilisation and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation. Solubilisation by adding water enabled processing of proteins in honey. TCA precipitation collected proteins without specific binding. The combination of protein alkylation and an appropriate enzyme-to-protein ratio ensured feasibility of tryptic digestion. A desalting process eliminated a large amount of salts and other tryptic peptides in the honey sample. The use of the reference labelled protein enabled compensation for tryptic digestion efficiency and electrospray ionisation efficiency based on LC-MS/MS measurement. After the peptide selection and protein BlastP analysis, five unique peptides were chosen. The non-toxic peptides originating from BoNTA were reliably detected using LC-MS/MS based on a multiple-reaction monitoring mode. Detection of several peptides ensured screening of BoNTA in honey samples. Based on the responses, the proteotypic peptide LYGIAINPNR was selected as the quantitative peptide. Due to maintaining the relative ion ratios, the selective transition completely identified the non-toxic peptides. The intensity of the transitions established a detection limit of BoNTA estimated to be 9.4 ng mL-1. Although extraction efficiency was not evaluated using the BoNTA standard, the results suggested this method may be used for quantification of BoNTA in honey. The method was applied to 19 honey samples purchased in Tokyo; none of them was found to contain the target toxin. Overall, the method is expected to accelerate BoNTA monitoring for food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Koike
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maki Kanda
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hairoshi Hayashi
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Matsushima
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Souichi Yoshikawa
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumi Ohba
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Momoka Hayashi
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chieko Nagano
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Sekimura
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Otsuka
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Kamiie
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University , Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Takeo Sasamoto
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Hashimoto
- Department of Food Safety, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health , Tokyo, Japan
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13
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von Berg L, Stern D, Weisemann J, Rummel A, Dorner MB, Dorner BG. Optimization of SNAP-25 and VAMP-2 Cleavage by Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotypes A-F Employing Taguchi Design-of-Experiments. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11100588. [PMID: 31614566 PMCID: PMC6832249 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The detection of catalytically active botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) can be achieved by monitoring the enzymatic cleavage of soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins by the toxins’ light chains (LC) in cleavage-based assays. Thus, for sensitive BoNT detection, optimal cleavage conditions for the clinically relevant A–F serotypes are required. Until now, a systematic evaluation of cleavage conditions for the different BoNT serotypes is still lacking. To address this issue, we optimized cleavage conditions for BoNT/A–F using the Taguchi design-of-experiments (DoE) method. To this aim, we analyzed the influence of buffer composition (pH, Zn2+, DTT (dithiothreitol), NaCl) as well as frequently used additives (BSA (bovine serum albumin), Tween 20, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)) on BoNT substrate cleavage. We identified major critical factors (DTT, Zn2+, TMAO) and were able to increase the catalytic efficiency of BoNT/B, C, E, and F when compared to previously described buffers. Moreover, we designed a single consensus buffer for the optimal cleavage of all tested serotypes. Our optimized buffers are instrumental to increase the sensitivity of cleavage-based assays for BoNT detection. Furthermore, the application of the Taguchi DoE approach shows how the method helps to rationally improve enzymatic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura von Berg
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Daniel Stern
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jasmin Weisemann
- Institut für Toxikologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Andreas Rummel
- Institut für Toxikologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Martin Bernhard Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Brigitte Gertrud Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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14
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Sensitive detection of type G botulinum neurotoxin through Endopep-MS peptide substrate optimization. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:5489-5497. [PMID: 31172236 PMCID: PMC6684539 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-01926-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) that are one of the most poisonous substances. In order to respond to public health emergencies, there is a need to develop sensitive and specific methods for detecting botulinum toxin in various clinical matrices. Our laboratory has developed a mass spectrometry-based Endopep-MS assay that is able to rapidly detect and differentiate BoNT serotypes A–G by immunoaffinity capture of toxins and detection of unique cleavage products of peptide substrates. To improve the sensitivity of the Endopep-MS assay for the detection of BoNT serotype G, we report here the optimization of synthetic peptide substrates through systematic substitution, deletion, and incorporation of unnatural amino acids. Our data show that the resulting optimized peptides produced a significant improvement (two orders of magnitude) in assay sensitivity and allowed the detection of 0.01 mouseLD50 toxin present in buffer solution.
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15
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von Berg L, Stern D, Pauly D, Mahrhold S, Weisemann J, Jentsch L, Hansbauer EM, Müller C, Avondet MA, Rummel A, Dorner MB, Dorner BG. Functional detection of botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A to F by monoclonal neoepitope-specific antibodies and suspension array technology. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5531. [PMID: 30940836 PMCID: PMC6445094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41722-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known and cause the life threatening disease botulism. Sensitive and broad detection is extremely challenging due to the toxins' high potency and molecular heterogeneity with several serotypes and more than 40 subtypes. The toxicity of BoNT is mediated by enzymatic cleavage of different synaptic proteins involved in neurotransmitter release at serotype-specific cleavage sites. Hence, active BoNTs can be monitored and distinguished in vitro by detecting their substrate cleavage products. In this work, we developed a comprehensive panel of monoclonal neoepitope antibodies (Neo-mAbs) highly specific for the newly generated N- and/or C-termini of the substrate cleavage products of BoNT serotypes A to F. The Neo-mAbs were implemented in a set of three enzymatic assays for the simultaneous detection of two BoNT serotypes each by monitoring substrate cleavage on colour-coded magnetic Luminex-beads. For the first time, all relevant serotypes could be detected in parallel by a routine in vitro activity assay in spiked serum and food samples yielding excellent detection limits in the range of the mouse bioassay or better (0.3-80 pg/mL). Therefore, this work represents a major step towards the replacement of the mouse bioassay for botulism diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura von Berg
- Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Daniel Stern
- Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Diana Pauly
- Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Stefan Mahrhold
- Institut für Toxikologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jasmin Weisemann
- Institut für Toxikologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa Jentsch
- Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Hansbauer
- Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Christian Müller
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Spiez, 3700, Switzerland
| | - Marc A Avondet
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Spiez, 3700, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Rummel
- Institut für Toxikologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin B Dorner
- Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353, Germany
| | - Brigitte G Dorner
- Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353, Germany.
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16
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Applications and challenges of forensic proteomics. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 297:350-363. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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17
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Jarman KH, Heller NC, Jenson SC, Hutchison JR, Kaiser BLD, Payne SH, Wunschel DS, Merkley ED. Proteomics Goes to Court: A Statistical Foundation for Forensic Toxin/Organism Identification Using Bottom-Up Proteomics. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:3075-3085. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin H. Jarman
- Applied Statistics and Computational Modeling Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Natalie C. Heller
- Applied Statistics and Computational Modeling Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Sarah C. Jenson
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Janine R. Hutchison
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Brooke L. Deatherage Kaiser
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Samuel H. Payne
- Biological Sciences Division, Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - David S. Wunschel
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Eric D. Merkley
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
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18
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Behrensdorf-Nicol HA, Wild E, Bonifas U, Klimek J, Hanschmann KM, Krämer B, Kegel B. In vitro potency determination of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A based on its receptor-binding and proteolytic characteristics. Toxicol In Vitro 2018; 53:80-88. [PMID: 30016653 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) inhibit the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from motor neurons, resulting in highly effective muscle relaxation. In clinical and aesthetic medicine, serotype BoNT/A, which is most potent for humans, is widely used to treat a continuously increasing spectrum of disorders associated with muscle overactivity. Because of the high toxicity associated with BoNTs, it is mandatory to precisely determine the potency of every batch produced for pharmaceutical purposes. Here we report a new quantitative functional in vitro assay for BoNT/A. In this binding and cleavage (BINACLE) assay, the toxin is first bound to specific receptor molecules. Then a chemical reduction is performed, thereby releasing the light chain of BoNT/A and activating its proteolytic domain. The activated light chain is finally exposed to its substrate protein SNAP-25, and the fragment resulting from the proteolytic cleavage of this protein is quantified in an antibody-mediated reaction. The BoNT/A BINACLE assay offers high specificity and sensitivity with a detection limit below 0.5 mouse lethal dose (LD50)/ml. In conclusion, this new in vitro assay for determining BoNT/A toxicity represents an alternative to the LD50 test in mice, which is the "gold standard" method for the potency testing of BoNT/A products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike A Behrensdorf-Nicol
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany.
| | - Emina Wild
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Ursula Bonifas
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Jolanta Klimek
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Kay-Martin Hanschmann
- Microbiology Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Beate Krämer
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Birgit Kegel
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
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19
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Chellapandi P, Prisilla A. Clostridium botulinum type A-virulome-gut interactions: A systems biology insight. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humic.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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20
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Duracova M, Klimentova J, Fucikova A, Dresler J. Proteomic Methods of Detection and Quantification of Protein Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10030099. [PMID: 29495560 PMCID: PMC5869387 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10030099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological toxins are a heterogeneous group of compounds that share commonalities with biological and chemical agents. Among them, protein toxins represent a considerable, diverse set. They cover a broad range of molecular weights from less than 1000 Da to more than 150 kDa. This review aims to compare conventional detection methods of protein toxins such as in vitro bioassays with proteomic methods, including immunoassays and mass spectrometry-based techniques and their combination. Special emphasis is given to toxins falling into a group of selected agents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as Staphylococcal enterotoxins, Bacillus anthracis toxins, Clostridium botulinum toxins, Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin, ricin from Ricinus communis, Abrin from Abrus precatorius or control of trade in dual-use items in the European Union, including lesser known protein toxins such as Viscumin from Viscum album. The analysis of protein toxins and monitoring for biological threats, i.e., the deliberate spread of infectious microorganisms or toxins through water, food, or the air, requires rapid and reliable methods for the early identification of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloslava Duracova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Klimentova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Alena Fucikova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiri Dresler
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, CZ-160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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21
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Development of a multiplex Endopep-MS assay for simultaneous detection of botulinum toxins A, B and E. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14859. [PMID: 29093524 PMCID: PMC5665860 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14911-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are bacterial proteins that cause botulism, a life-threatening disease. The Endopep-MS assay permits rapid detection and serotypic differential diagnosis of BoNTs. The serotype-specific nature of this assay requires that each serum sample be aliquoted and individually tested, which in addition to the limited volume of clinical samples, especially in infants, points to the need for a multiplex assay. However, previous attempts to develop such an assay have been challenging, mainly due to inhibition of BoNT/A activity by the BoNT/E peptide substrate. BoNT/A and BoNT/E share the same native target protein as their substrate. We hypothesized that the steric interference between the BoNT/A and BoNT/E substrate peptides is responsible for the difficulty in simultaneously assaying these two toxins. To explore the basis for steric interference, we used the reported structure of BoNT/A in complex with SNAP-25 and modelled the structure of BoNT/E with SNAP-25. Following this thorough structural analysis, we designed a new peptide substrate for BoNT/A that maintained the assay sensitivity and allowed, for the first time, simultaneous detection of the three most abundant human botulinum serotypes. Adopting the multiplex assay will minimize the required sample volume and assay time for botulinum detection while maintaining the superior Endopep-MS assay performance.
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22
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Wang D, Baudys J, Hoyt KM, Barr JR, Kalb SR. Further optimization of peptide substrate enhanced assay performance for BoNT/A detection by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 409:4779-4786. [PMID: 28573317 PMCID: PMC5519644 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-017-0421-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), which cause botulism, is essential in a public health emergency or bioterrorism event. We have previously developed a mass spectrometry (MS)-based functional method, Endopep-MS assay, for the fast detection and differentiation of all BoNT serotypes by affinity enriching the toxin and detecting the serotype-specific cleavage products of peptide substrates derived from the in vivo targets. To improve the performance of the Endopep-MS assay, we report here the further optimization of the peptide substrate for the detection of serotype A botulinum neurotoxins. An increased substrate cleavage was achieved by extending the original peptide N-terminus with optimized amino acid sequence, increasing the detection sensitivity of the method. In addition, the resistance of the substrate to nonspecific hydrolysis was dramatically improved by selectively substituting amino acids at the scissile bond and various other positions of the extended peptide. Moreover, incorporating the N-terminal hydrophobic residues dramatically improved the relative intensity of the cleavage products in the mass spectra. This allowed easy detection of the cleavage products, further enhancing the performance of the assay. The limit of detection for spiked serum sample was enhanced from 0.5 to 0.1 mouseLD50 and from 0.5 to 0.2 mouseLD50 for spiked stool. Mass spectra of optimized and old peptide substrates with BoNT/A ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxia Wang
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Jakub Baudys
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Kaitlin M Hoyt
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - John R Barr
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Suzanne R Kalb
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
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23
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Doggett NA, Mukundan H, Lefkowitz EJ, Slezak TR, Chain PS, Morse S, Anderson K, Hodge DR, Pillai S. Culture-Independent Diagnostics for Health Security. Health Secur 2017; 14:122-42. [PMID: 27314653 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2015.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decade has seen considerable development in the diagnostic application of nonculture methods, including nucleic acid amplification-based methods and mass spectrometry, for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. The implications of these new culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) include bypassing the need to culture organisms, thus potentially affecting public health surveillance systems, which continue to use isolates as the basis of their surveillance programs and to assess phenotypic resistance to antimicrobial agents. CIDTs may also affect the way public health practitioners detect and respond to a bioterrorism event. In response to a request from the Department of Homeland Security, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cosponsored a workshop to review the impact of CIDTs on the rapid detection and identification of biothreat agents. Four panel discussions were held that covered nucleic acid amplification-based diagnostics, mass spectrometry, antibody-based diagnostics, and next-generation sequencing. Exploiting the extensive expertise available at this workshop, we identified the key features, benefits, and limitations of the various CIDT methods for providing rapid pathogen identification that are critical to the response and mitigation of a bioterrorism event. After the workshop we conducted a thorough review of the literature, investigating the current state of these 4 culture-independent diagnostic methods. This article combines information from the literature review and the insights obtained at the workshop.
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24
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Rosen O, Feldberg L, Dor E, Gura S, Zichel R. Optimization of SNAP-25-derived peptide substrate for improved detection of botulinum A in the Endopep-MS assay. Anal Biochem 2017; 528:34-37. [PMID: 28450105 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2017.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic proteins in nature. Endopeptidase-mass-spectrometry (Endopep-MS) is used as a specific and rapid in-vitro assay to detect BoNTs. In this assay, immunocaptured toxin cleaves a serotype-specific-peptide-substrate, and the cleavage products are then detected by MS. Here we describe the design of a new peptide substrate for improved detection of BoNT type A (BoNT/A). Our strategy was based on reported BoNT/A-SNAP-25 interactions integrated with analysis method efficiency considerations. Integration of the newly designed substrate led to a 10-fold increase in the assay sensitivity both in buffer and in clinically relevant samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osnat Rosen
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Israel
| | - Liron Feldberg
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Israel
| | - Eyal Dor
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Israel
| | - Sigalit Gura
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Israel
| | - Ran Zichel
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Israel.
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25
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Perry MJ, Centurioni DA, Davis SW, Hannett GE, Musser KA, Egan CT. Implementing the Bruker MALDI Biotyper in the Public Health Laboratory for C. botulinum Neurotoxin Detection. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9030094. [PMID: 28282915 PMCID: PMC5371849 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9030094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, the gold standard method for active botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) detection is the mouse bioassay (MBA). A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-developed mass spectrometry (MS)-based assay that detects active BoNT was successfully validated and implemented in a public health laboratory in clinical matrices using the Bruker MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry) Biotyper. For the first time, a direct comparison with the MBA was performed to determine MS-based assay sensitivity using the Bruker MALDI Biotyper. Mice were injected with BoNT/A, /B, /E, and /F at concentrations surrounding the established MS assay limit of detection (LOD) and analyzed simultaneously. For BoNT/B, /E, and /F, MS assay sensitivity was equivalent or better than the MBA at 25, 0.3, and 8.8 mLD50, respectively. BoNT/A was detected by the MBA between 1.8 and 18 mLD50, somewhat more sensitive than the MS method of 18 mLD50. Studies were performed to compare assay performance in clinical specimens. For all tested specimens, the MS method rapidly detected BoNT activity and serotype in agreement with, or in the absence of, results from the MBA. We demonstrate that the MS assay can generate reliable, rapid results while eliminating the need for animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Perry
- Biodefense Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - Dominick A Centurioni
- Biodefense Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - Stephen W Davis
- Biodefense Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - George E Hannett
- Bacteriology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - Kimberlee A Musser
- Bacteriology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - Christina T Egan
- Biodefense Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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26
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Vazquez-Cintron EJ, Beske PH, Tenezaca L, Tran BQ, Oyler JM, Glotfelty EJ, Angeles CA, Syngkon A, Mukherjee J, Kalb SR, Band PA, McNutt PM, Shoemaker CB, Ichtchenko K. Engineering Botulinum Neurotoxin C1 as a Molecular Vehicle for Intra-Neuronal Drug Delivery. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42923. [PMID: 28220863 PMCID: PMC5318933 DOI: 10.1038/srep42923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) binds to and internalizes its light chain into presynaptic compartments with exquisite specificity. While the native toxin is extremely lethal, bioengineering of BoNT has the potential to eliminate toxicity without disrupting neuron-specific targeting, thereby creating a molecular vehicle capable of delivering therapeutic cargo into the neuronal cytosol. Building upon previous work, we have developed an atoxic derivative (ad) of BoNT/C1 through rationally designed amino acid substitutions in the metalloprotease domain of wild type (wt) BoNT/C1. To test if BoNT/C1 ad retains neuron-specific targeting without concomitant toxic host responses, we evaluated the localization, activity, and toxicity of BoNT/C1 ad in vitro and in vivo. In neuronal cultures, BoNT/C1 ad light chain is rapidly internalized into presynaptic compartments, but does not cleave SNARE proteins nor impair spontaneous neurotransmitter release. In mice, systemic administration resulted in the specific co-localization of BoNT/C1 ad with diaphragmatic motor nerve terminals. The mouse LD50 of BoNT/C1 ad is 5 mg/kg, with transient neurological symptoms emerging at sub-lethal doses. Given the low toxicity and highly specific neuron-targeting properties of BoNT/C1 ad, these data suggest that BoNT/C1 ad can be useful as a molecular vehicle for drug delivery to the neuronal cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin J Vazquez-Cintron
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,CytoDel LLC, New York, NY, 10027, USA.,The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Phillip H Beske
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Luis Tenezaca
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,CytoDel LLC, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Bao Q Tran
- Excet, Inc., 6225 Brandon Ave., Suite 360, Springfield, VA, 22150, USA
| | - Jonathan M Oyler
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Elliot J Glotfelty
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Christopher A Angeles
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Aurelia Syngkon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Jean Mukherjee
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Tufts University Clinical and Translational Science Institute, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Suzanne R Kalb
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Philip A Band
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,CytoDel LLC, New York, NY, 10027, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Patrick M McNutt
- The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Charles B Shoemaker
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Tufts University Clinical and Translational Science Institute, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Konstantin Ichtchenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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27
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Development of an Innovative in Vitro Potency Assay for Anti-Botulinum Antitoxins. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8100276. [PMID: 27669303 PMCID: PMC5086636 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8100276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins are bacterial proteins that cause botulism, a life-threatening disease. Therapy relies mostly on post-intoxication antibody treatment. The only accepted method to measure the potency of, and to approve, antitoxin preparations is the mouse lethality neutralization bioassay. However, this assay is time-consuming, labor-intensive, costly, and raises ethical issues related to the large numbers of laboratory animals needed. Until now, all efforts to develop an alternative in vitro assay have not provided a valid replacement to the mouse potency assay. In the present study, we report the development of an innovative in vitro assay for determining botulinum antitoxin potency, using botulinum type B as a model. The concept of the assay is to mimic two fundamental steps in botulinum intoxication: receptor binding and catalytic activity. By simulating these steps in vitro we were able to accurately determine the potency of antitoxin preparations. The reproducibility of the assay was high with a CV < 13%. Most importantly, the antitoxin potency measured by the in vitro assay highly correlated with that measured by the standard in vivo mouse assay (r = 0.9842, p < 0.0001). Thus, this new in vitro assay has the potential to be considered, after validation, as a replacement to the mouse assay for quantitating neutralizing antibody concentrations in pharmaceutical botulinum antitoxin preparations. Future adoption of this in vitro assay would minimize the use of laboratory animals, speed up the time, and reduce the cost of botulinum antitoxin approval.
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28
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Berger T, Eisenkraft A, Bar-Haim E, Kassirer M, Aran AA, Fogel I. Toxins as biological weapons for terror-characteristics, challenges and medical countermeasures: a mini-review. DISASTER AND MILITARY MEDICINE 2016; 2:7. [PMID: 28265441 PMCID: PMC5330008 DOI: 10.1186/s40696-016-0017-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Toxins are hazardous biochemical compounds derived from bacteria, fungi, or plants. Some have mechanisms of action and physical properties that make them amenable for use as potential warfare agents. Currently, some toxins are classified as potential biological weapons, although they have several differences from classic living bio-terror pathogens and some similarities to manmade chemical warfare agents. This review focuses on category A and B bio-terror toxins recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Botulinum neurotoxin, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin, and ricin. Their derivation, pathogenesis, mechanism of action, associated clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed in detail. Given their expected covert use, the primary diagnostic challenge in toxin exposure is the early detection of morbidity clusters, apart from background morbidity, after a relatively short incubation period. For this reason, it is important that clinicians be familiar with the clinical manifestations of toxins and the appropriate methods of management and countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Berger
- Surgeon General Headquarters, IDF Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel ; Department of Internal Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Arik Eisenkraft
- Surgeon General Headquarters, IDF Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel ; Institute for Research in Military Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel ; NBC Protection Division, IMOD, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Erez Bar-Haim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Michael Kassirer
- Surgeon General Headquarters, IDF Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Adi Avniel Aran
- Surgeon General Headquarters, IDF Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel ; Pediatric Critical Care Unit, Children's Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Itay Fogel
- Surgeon General Headquarters, IDF Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel
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29
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Wild E, Bonifas U, Klimek J, Trösemeier JH, Krämer B, Kegel B, Behrensdorf-Nicol HA. In vitro potency determination of botulinum neurotoxin B based on its receptor-binding and proteolytic characteristics. Toxicol In Vitro 2016; 34:97-104. [PMID: 27032463 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2016.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known. However, the paralytic effect caused by BoNT serotypes A and B is taken advantage of to treat different forms of dystonia and in cosmetic procedures. Due to the increasing areas of application, the demand for BoNTs A and B is rising steadily. Because of the high toxicity, it is mandatory to precisely determine the potency of every produced BoNT batch, which is usually accomplished by performing toxicity testing (LD50 test) in mice. Here we describe an alternative in vitro assay for the potency determination of the BoNT serotype B. In this assay, the toxin is first bound to its specific receptor molecules. After the proteolytic subunit of the toxin has been released and activated by chemical reduction, it is exposed to synaptobrevin, its substrate protein. Finally the proteolytic cleavage is quantified by an antibody-mediated detection of the neoepitope, reaching a detection limit below 0.1mouseLD50/ml. Thus, the assay, named BoNT/B binding and cleavage assay (BoNT/B BINACLE), takes into account the binding as well as the protease function of the toxin, thereby measuring its biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emina Wild
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Ursula Bonifas
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Jolanta Klimek
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Jan-Hendrik Trösemeier
- Microbiology Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany; Molecular Bioinformatics, Institute of Computer Science, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Beate Krämer
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Birgit Kegel
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany
| | - Heike A Behrensdorf-Nicol
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicals), Langen, Germany.
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30
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Worbs S, Fiebig U, Zeleny R, Schimmel H, Rummel A, Luginbühl W, Dorner BG. Qualitative and Quantitative Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxins from Complex Matrices: Results of the First International Proficiency Test. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:4935-66. [PMID: 26703724 PMCID: PMC4690107 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the framework of the EU project EQuATox, a first international proficiency test (PT) on the detection and quantification of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) was conducted. Sample materials included BoNT serotypes A, B and E spiked into buffer, milk, meat extract and serum. Different methods were applied by the participants combining different principles of detection, identification and quantification. Based on qualitative assays, 95% of all results reported were correct. Successful strategies for BoNT detection were based on a combination of complementary immunological, MS-based and functional methods or on suitable functional in vivo/in vitro approaches (mouse bioassay, hemidiaphragm assay and Endopep-MS assay). Quantification of BoNT/A, BoNT/B and BoNT/E was performed by 48% of participating laboratories. It turned out that precise quantification of BoNT was difficult, resulting in a substantial scatter of quantitative data. This was especially true for results obtained by the mouse bioassay which is currently considered as "gold standard" for BoNT detection. The results clearly demonstrate the urgent need for certified BoNT reference materials and the development of methods replacing animal testing. In this context, the BoNT PT provided the valuable information that both the Endopep-MS assay and the hemidiaphragm assay delivered quantitative results superior to the mouse bioassay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Worbs
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Uwe Fiebig
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Reinhard Zeleny
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium.
| | - Heinz Schimmel
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium.
| | - Andreas Rummel
- toxogen GmbH, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 35, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | | | - Brigitte G Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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31
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Simon S, Fiebig U, Liu Y, Tierney R, Dano J, Worbs S, Endermann T, Nevers MC, Volland H, Sesardic D, Dorner MB. Recommended Immunological Strategies to Screen for Botulinum Neurotoxin-Containing Samples. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:5011-34. [PMID: 26703727 PMCID: PMC4690110 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) cause the life-threatening neurological illness botulism in humans and animals and are divided into seven serotypes (BoNT/A–G), of which serotypes A, B, E, and F cause the disease in humans. BoNTs are classified as “category A” bioterrorism threat agents and are relevant in the context of the Biological Weapons Convention. An international proficiency test (PT) was conducted to evaluate detection, quantification and discrimination capabilities of 23 expert laboratories from the health, food and security areas. Here we describe three immunological strategies that proved to be successful for the detection and quantification of BoNT/A, B, and E considering the restricted sample volume (1 mL) distributed. To analyze the samples qualitatively and quantitatively, the first strategy was based on sensitive immunoenzymatic and immunochromatographic assays for fast qualitative and quantitative analyses. In the second approach, a bead-based suspension array was used for screening followed by conventional ELISA for quantification. In the third approach, an ELISA plate format assay was used for serotype specific immunodetection of BoNT-cleaved substrates, detecting the activity of the light chain, rather than the toxin protein. The results provide guidance for further steps in quality assurance and highlight problems to address in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Simon
- CEA Saclay, Institute of Biology and Technologies of Saclay, Laboratory for Immunoanalytical Researches, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 cedex, France.
| | - Uwe Fiebig
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Yvonne Liu
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, a Centre of Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK.
| | - Rob Tierney
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, a Centre of Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK.
| | - Julie Dano
- CEA Saclay, Institute of Biology and Technologies of Saclay, Laboratory for Immunoanalytical Researches, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 cedex, France.
| | - Sylvia Worbs
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Tanja Endermann
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Marie-Claire Nevers
- CEA Saclay, Institute of Biology and Technologies of Saclay, Laboratory for Immunoanalytical Researches, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 cedex, France.
| | - Hervé Volland
- CEA Saclay, Institute of Biology and Technologies of Saclay, Laboratory for Immunoanalytical Researches, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 cedex, France.
| | - Dorothea Sesardic
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, a Centre of Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK.
| | - Martin B Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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32
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Komarova E, Bogomolova A, Aldissi M. Conjugated fluorescent polymer sensor for proteolytic activity detection with designed specificity. POLYM INT 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.4940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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33
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Rosen O, Feldberg L, Gura S, Brosh-Nissimov T, Guri A, Zimhony O, Shapiro E, Beth-Din A, Stein D, Ozeri E, Barnea A, Turgeman A, Ben David A, Schwartz A, Elhanany E, Diamant E, Yitzhaki S, Zichel R. Early, Real-Time Medical Diagnosis of Botulism by Endopeptidase-Mass Spectrometry. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 61:e58-61. [PMID: 26420800 DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum toxin was detected in patient serum using Endopeptidase-mass-spectrometry assay, although all conventional tests provided negative results. Antitoxin was administered, resulting in patient improvement. Implementing this highly sensitive and rapid assay will improve preparedness for foodborne botulism and deliberate exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tal Brosh-Nissimov
- CBRN Medicine Branch, Medical Corps HQ, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona
| | | | | | - Eli Shapiro
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot
| | - Adi Beth-Din
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
| | - Dana Stein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Shmuel Yitzhaki
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
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34
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Kalb SR, Boyer AE, Barr JR. Mass Spectrometric Detection of Bacterial Protein Toxins and Their Enzymatic Activity. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:3497-511. [PMID: 26404376 PMCID: PMC4591662 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7093497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry has recently become a powerful technique for bacterial identification. Mass spectrometry approaches generally rely upon introduction of the bacteria into a matrix-assisted laser-desorption time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer with mass spectrometric recognition of proteins specific to that organism that form a reliable fingerprint. With some bacteria, such as Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium botulinum, the health threat posed by these organisms is not the organism itself, but rather the protein toxins produced by the organisms. One such example is botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), a potent neurotoxin produced by C. botulinum. There are seven known serotypes of BoNT, A–G, and many of the serotypes can be further differentiated into toxin variants, which are up to 99.9% identical in some cases. Mass spectrometric proteomic techniques have been established to differentiate the serotype or toxin variant of BoNT produced by varied strains of C. botulinum. Detection of potent biological toxins requires high analytical sensitivity and mass spectrometry based methods have been developed to determine the enzymatic activity of BoNT and the anthrax lethal toxins produced by B. anthracis. This enzymatic activity, unique for each toxin, is assessed with detection of the toxin-induced cleavage of strategically designed peptide substrates by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry offering unparalleled specificity. Furthermore, activity assays allow for the assessment of the biological activity of a toxin and its potential health risk. Such methods have become important diagnostics for botulism and anthrax. Here, we review mass spectrometry based methods for the enzymatic activity of BoNT and the anthrax lethal factor toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne R Kalb
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
| | - Anne E Boyer
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
| | - John R Barr
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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35
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Dupré M, Gilquin B, Fenaille F, Feraudet-Tarisse C, Dano J, Ferro M, Simon S, Junot C, Brun V, Becher F. Multiplex Quantification of Protein Toxins in Human Biofluids and Food Matrices Using Immunoextraction and High-Resolution Targeted Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2015; 87:8473-80. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b01900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Dupré
- CEA, DSV, iBiTec-S, Laboratoire d’études
du métabolisme des médicaments, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Benoit Gilquin
- Université
Grenoble Alpes, iRTSV-BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- CEA, iRTSV-BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- INSERM, BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - François Fenaille
- CEA, DSV, iBiTec-S, Laboratoire d’études
du métabolisme des médicaments, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Cécile Feraudet-Tarisse
- CEA, DSV, iBiTec-S, Laboratoire d’études
et de recherches en immunoanalyse, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Julie Dano
- CEA, DSV, iBiTec-S, Laboratoire d’études
et de recherches en immunoanalyse, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Myriam Ferro
- Université
Grenoble Alpes, iRTSV-BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- CEA, iRTSV-BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- INSERM, BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Stéphanie Simon
- CEA, DSV, iBiTec-S, Laboratoire d’études
et de recherches en immunoanalyse, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Christophe Junot
- CEA, DSV, iBiTec-S, Laboratoire d’études
du métabolisme des médicaments, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Virginie Brun
- Université
Grenoble Alpes, iRTSV-BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- CEA, iRTSV-BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- INSERM, BGE, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - François Becher
- CEA, DSV, iBiTec-S, Laboratoire d’études
du métabolisme des médicaments, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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36
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Kalb SR, Baudys J, Wang D, Barr JR. Recommended mass spectrometry-based strategies to identify botulinum neurotoxin-containing samples. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:1765-78. [PMID: 25996606 PMCID: PMC4448173 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7051765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) cause the disease called botulism, which can be lethal. BoNTs are proteins secreted by some species of clostridia and are known to cause paralysis by interfering with nerve impulse transmission. Although the human lethal dose of BoNT is not accurately known, it is estimated to be between 0.1 μg to 70 μg, so it is important to enable detection of small amounts of these toxins. Our laboratory previously reported on the development of Endopep-MS, a mass-spectrometric‑based endopeptidase method to detect, differentiate, and quantify BoNT immunoaffinity purified from complex matrices. In this work, we describe the application of Endopep-MS for the analysis of thirteen blinded samples supplied as part of the EQuATox proficiency test. This method successfully identified the presence or absence of BoNT in all thirteen samples and was able to successfully differentiate the serotype of BoNT present in the samples, which included matrices such as buffer, milk, meat extract, and serum. Furthermore, the method yielded quantitative results which had z-scores in the range of -3 to +3 for quantification of BoNT/A containing samples. These results indicate that Endopep-MS is an excellent technique for detection, differentiation, and quantification of BoNT in complex matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne R Kalb
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
| | - Jakub Baudys
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
| | - Dongxia Wang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
| | - John R Barr
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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37
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Savage AC, Buckley N, Halliwell J, Gwenin C. Botulinum neurotoxin serotypes detected by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:1544-55. [PMID: 25954998 PMCID: PMC4448162 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7051544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Revised: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxin is one of the deadliest biological toxins known to mankind and is able to cause the debilitating disease botulism. The rapid detection of the different serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin is essential for both diagnosis of botulism and identifying the presence of toxin in potential cases of terrorism and food contamination. The modes of action of botulinum neurotoxins are well-established in literature and differ for each serotype. The toxins are known to specifically cleave portions of the SNARE proteins SNAP-25 or VAMP; an interaction that can be monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This study presents a SNAP-25 and a VAMP biosensors for detecting the activity of five botulinum neurotoxin serotypes (A-E) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The biosensors are able to detect concentrations of toxins as low as 25 fg/mL, in a short time-frame compared with the current standard methods of detection. Both biosensors show greater specificity for their compatible serotypes compared with incompatible serotypes and denatured toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison C Savage
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales LL57 2DG, UK.
| | - Nicholas Buckley
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales LL57 2DG, UK.
| | - Jennifer Halliwell
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales LL57 2DG, UK.
| | - Christopher Gwenin
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales LL57 2DG, UK.
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Wang D, Krilich J, Baudys J, Barr JR, Kalb SR. Enhanced detection of type C botulinum neurotoxin by the Endopep-MS assay through optimization of peptide substrates. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:3667-73. [PMID: 25913863 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
It is essential to have a simple, quick and sensitive method for the detection and quantification of botulinum neurotoxins, the most toxic substances and the causative agents of botulism. Type C botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/C) represents one of the seven members of distinctive BoNT serotypes (A to G) that cause botulism in animals and avians. Here we report the development of optimized peptide substrates for improving the detection of BoNT/C and /CD mosaic toxins using an Endopep-MS assay, a mass spectrometry-based method that is able to rapidly and sensitively detect and differentiate all types of BoNTs by extracting the toxin with specific antibodies and detecting the unique cleavage products of peptide substrates. Based on the sequence of a short SNAP-25 peptide, we conducted optimization through a comprehensive process including length determination, terminal modification, single and multiple amino acid residue substitution, and incorporation of unnatural amino acid residues. Our data demonstrate that an optimal peptide provides a more than 200-fold improvement over the substrate currently used in the Endopep-MS assay for the detection of BoNT/C1 and /CD mosaic. Using the new substrate in a four-hour cleavage reaction, the limit of detection for the BoNT/C1 complex spiked in buffer, serum and milk samples was determined to be 0.5, 0.5 and 1mouseLD50/mL, respectively, representing a similar or higher sensitivity than that obtained by traditional mouse bioassay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxia Wang
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for the Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
| | - Joan Krilich
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for the Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
| | - Jakub Baudys
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for the Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
| | - John R Barr
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for the Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
| | - Suzanne R Kalb
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for the Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States.
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Wang D, Baudys J, Krilich J, Smith TJ, Barr JR, Kalb SR. A two-stage multiplex method for quantitative analysis of botulinum neurotoxins type A, B, E, and F by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 2014; 86:10847-54. [PMID: 25285509 DOI: 10.1021/ac502948v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In this publication, we report on the development of a quantitative enzymatic method for the detection of four botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes responsible for human botulism by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Factors that might affect the linearity and dynamic range for detection of BoNT cleavage products were initially examined, including the amount of peptide substrate and internal standard, the timing of cleavage reaction, and the components in the reaction solution. It was found that a long incubation time produced sensitive results, but was not capable of determining higher toxin concentrations, whereas a short incubation time was less sensitive so that lower toxin concentrations were not detected. In order to overcome these limitations, a two-stage analysis strategy was applied. The first stage analysis involved a short incubation period (e.g., 30 min). If no toxin was detected at this stage, the cleavage reaction was allowed to continue and the samples were analyzed at a second time point (4 h), so that toxin levels lower than 1 mouse LD50 or 55 attomoles per milliliter (55 amol/mL) could be quantified. By combining the results from two-stage quantification, 4 or 5 orders of magnitude in dynamic range were achieved for the detection of the serotypes of BoNT/A, BoNT/B, BoNT/E, or BoNT/F. The effect of multiplexing the assay by mixing substrates for different BoNT serotypes into a single reaction was also investigated in order to reduce the numbers of the cleavage reactions and save valuable clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxia Wang
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
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40
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Björnstad K, Tevell Åberg A, Kalb SR, Wang D, Barr JR, Bondesson U, Hedeland M. Validation of the Endopep-MS method for qualitative detection of active botulinum neurotoxins in human and chicken serum. Anal Bioanal Chem 2014; 406:7149-61. [PMID: 25228079 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-014-8170-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are highly toxic proteases produced by anaerobic bacteria. Traditionally, a mouse bioassay (MBA) has been used for detection of BoNTs, but for a long time, laboratories have worked with alternative methods for their detection. One of the most promising in vitro methods is a combination of an enzymatic and mass spectrometric assay called Endopep-MS. However, no comprehensive validation of the method has been presented. The main purpose of this work was to perform a validation for the qualitative analysis of BoNT-A, B, C, C/D, D, D/C, and F in serum. The limit of detection (LOD), selectivity, precision, stability in matrix and solution, and correlation with the MBA were evaluated. The LOD was equal to or even better than that of the MBA for BoNT-A, B, D/C, E, and F. Furthermore, Endopep-MS was for the first time successfully used to differentiate between BoNT-C and D and their mosaics C/D and D/C by different combinations of antibodies and target peptides. In addition, sequential antibody capture was presented as a new way to multiplex the method when only a small sample volume is available. In the comparison with the MBA, all the samples analyzed were positive for BoNT-C/D with both methods. These results indicate that the Endopep-MS method is a valid alternative to the MBA as the gold standard for BoNT detection based on its sensitivity, selectivity, and speed and that it does not require experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Björnstad
- Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
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Wang D, Krilich J, Baudys J, Barr JR, Kalb SR. Optimization of peptide substrates for botulinum neurotoxin E improves detection sensitivity in the Endopep-MS assay. Anal Biochem 2014; 468:15-21. [PMID: 25232998 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2014.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by Clostridium botulinum are the most poisonous substances known to humankind. It is essential to have a simple, quick, and sensitive method for the detection and quantification of botulinum toxin in various media, including complex biological matrices. Our laboratory has developed a mass spectrometry-based Endopep-MS assay that is able to rapidly detect and differentiate all types of BoNTs by extracting the toxin with specific antibodies and detecting the unique cleavage products of peptide substrates. Botulinum neurotoxin type E (BoNT/E) is a member of a family of seven distinctive BoNT serotypes (A-G) and is the causative agent of botulism in both humans and animals. To improve the sensitivity of the Endopep-MS assay, we report here the development of novel peptide substrates for the detection of BoNT/E activity through systematic and comprehensive approaches. Our data demonstrate that several optimal peptides could accomplish 500-fold improvement in sensitivity compared with the current substrate for the detection of both not-trypsin-activated and trypsin-activated BoNT/E toxin complexes. A limit of detection of 0.1 mouse LD50/ml was achieved using the novel peptide substrate in the assay to detect not-trypsin-activated BoNT/E complex spiked in serum, stool, and food samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxia Wang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Joan Krilich
- Battelle Memorial Institute under contract at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Jakub Baudys
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - John R Barr
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Suzanne R Kalb
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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Woudstra C, Tevell Åberg A, Skarin H, Anniballi F, De Medici D, Bano L, Koene M, Löfström C, Hansen T, Hedeland M, Fach P. Animal botulism outcomes in the AniBioThreat project. Biosecur Bioterror 2014; 11 Suppl 1:S177-82. [PMID: 23971804 DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Botulism disease in both humans and animals is a worldwide concern. Botulinum neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum and other Clostridium species are the most potent biological substances known and are responsible for flaccid paralysis leading to a high mortality rate. Clostridium botulinum and botulinum neurotoxins are considered potential weapons for bioterrorism and have been included in the Australia Group List of Biological Agents. In 2010 the European Commission (DG Justice, Freedom and Security) funded a 3-year project named AniBioThreat to improve the EU's capacity to counter animal bioterrorism threats. A detection portfolio with screening methods for botulism agents and incidents was needed to improve tracking and tracing of accidental and deliberate contamination of the feed and food chain with botulinum neurotoxins and other Clostridia. The complexity of this threat required acquiring new genetic information to better understand the diversity of these Clostridia and develop detection methods targeting both highly specific genetic markers of these Clostridia and the neurotoxins they are able to produce. Several European institutes participating in the AniBioThreat project collaborated on this program to achieve these objectives. Their scientific developments are discussed here.
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Skarin H, Tevell Åberg A, Woudstra C, Hansen T, Löfström C, Koene M, Bano L, Hedeland M, Anniballi F, De Medici D, Olsson Engvall E. The workshop on animal botulism in Europe. Biosecur Bioterror 2014; 11 Suppl 1:S183-90. [PMID: 23971805 DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A workshop on animal botulism was held in Uppsala, Sweden, in June 2012. Its purpose was to explore the current status of the disease in Europe by gathering the European experts in animal botulism and to raise awareness of the disease among veterinarians and others involved in biopreparedness. Animal botulism is underreported and underdiagnosed, but an increasing number of reports, as well as the information gathered from this workshop, show that it is an emerging problem in Europe. The workshop was divided into 4 sessions: animal botulism in Europe, the bacteria behind the disease, detection and diagnostics, and European collaboration and surveillance. An electronic survey was conducted before the workshop to identify the 3 most needed discussion points, which were: prevention, preparedness and outbreak response; detection and diagnostics; and European collaboration and surveillance. The main conclusions drawn from these discussions were that there is an urgent need to replace the mouse bioassay for botulinum toxin detection with an in vitro test and that there is a need for a European network to function as a reference laboratory, which could also organize a European supply of botulinum antitoxin and vaccines. The foundation of such a network was discussed, and the proposals are presented here along with the outcome of discussions and a summary of the workshop itself.
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Dunning FM, Piazza TM, Zeytin FN, Tucker WC. Isolation and quantification of botulinum neurotoxin from complex matrices using the BoTest matrix assays. J Vis Exp 2014. [PMID: 24638074 DOI: 10.3791/51170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate detection and quantification of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) in complex matrices is required for pharmaceutical, environmental, and food sample testing. Rapid BoNT testing of foodstuffs is needed during outbreak forensics, patient diagnosis, and food safety testing while accurate potency testing is required for BoNT-based drug product manufacturing and patient safety. The widely used mouse bioassay for BoNT testing is highly sensitive but lacks the precision and throughput needed for rapid and routine BoNT testing. Furthermore, the bioassay's use of animals has resulted in calls by drug product regulatory authorities and animal-rights proponents in the US and abroad to replace the mouse bioassay for BoNT testing. Several in vitro replacement assays have been developed that work well with purified BoNT in simple buffers, but most have not been shown to be applicable to testing in highly complex matrices. Here, a protocol for the detection of BoNT in complex matrices using the BoTest Matrix assays is presented. The assay consists of three parts: The first part involves preparation of the samples for testing, the second part is an immunoprecipitation step using anti-BoNT antibody-coated paramagnetic beads to purify BoNT from the matrix, and the third part quantifies the isolated BoNT's proteolytic activity using a fluorogenic reporter. The protocol is written for high throughput testing in 96-well plates using both liquid and solid matrices and requires about 2 hr of manual preparation with total assay times of 4-26 hr depending on the sample type, toxin load, and desired sensitivity. Data are presented for BoNT/A testing with phosphate-buffered saline, a drug product, culture supernatant, 2% milk, and fresh tomatoes and includes discussion of critical parameters for assay success.
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Tevell Åberg A, Björnstad K, Hedeland M. Mass Spectrometric Detection of Protein-Based Toxins. Biosecur Bioterror 2013; 11 Suppl 1:S215-26. [DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annica Tevell Åberg
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristian Björnstad
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Hedeland
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Bagramyan K, Kaplan BE, Cheng LW, Strotmeier J, Rummel A, Kalkum M. Substrates and controls for the quantitative detection of active botulinum neurotoxin in protease-containing samples. Anal Chem 2013; 85:5569-76. [PMID: 23656526 DOI: 10.1021/ac4008418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are used in a wide variety of medical applications, but there is limited pharmacokinetic data on active BoNT. Monitoring BoNT activity in the circulation is challenging because BoNTs are highly toxic and are rapidly taken up by neurons and removed from the bloodstream. Previously we reported a sensitive BoNT "Assay with a Large Immunosorbent Surface Area" that uses conversion of fluorogenic peptide substrates to measure the intrinsic endopeptidase activity of bead-captured BoNT. However, in complex biological samples, protease contaminants can also cleave the substrates, reducing sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Here, we present a novel set of fluorogenic peptides that serve as BoNT-specific substrates and protease-sensitive controls. BoNT-cleavable substrates contain a C-terminal Nle, while BoNT-noncleavable controls contain its isomer ε-Ahx. The substrates are cleaved by BoNT subtypes A1-A3 and A5. Substrates and control peptides can be cleaved by non-BoNT proteases (e.g., trypsin, proteinase K, and thermolysin) while obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Using this novel substrate/control set, we studied BoNT/A1 activity in two mouse models of botulism. We detected BoNT/A serum activities ranging from ~3600 to 10 amol/L in blood of mice that had been intravenously injected 1 h prior with BoNT/A1 complex (100 to 4 pg/mouse). We also detected the endopeptidase activity of orally administered BoNT/A1 complex (1 μg) in blood 5 h after administration; activity was greatest 7 h after administration. Redistribution and elevation rates for active toxin were measured and are comparable to those reported for inactive toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Bagramyan
- Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Department of Immunology, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Dadgar S, Ramjan Z, Floriano WB. Paclitaxel is an inhibitor and its boron dipyrromethene derivative is a fluorescent recognition agent for botulinum neurotoxin subtype A. J Med Chem 2013; 56:2791-803. [PMID: 23484537 DOI: 10.1021/jm301829h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We have successfully identified one new inhibitor and one new fluorescent recognition agent for the botulinum neurotoxin subtype A (BoNT/A) using the virtual screening protocol "protein scanning with virtual ligand screening" (PSVLS). Hit selection used an in-house developed holistic binding scoring method. Selected hits were tested experimentally for inhibitory activity using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays against the light chain (catalytic domain) of BoNT/A. Ligand binding was determined against the light and heavy chain BoNT/A complex through either radiolabeled ligand binding assays (nonfluorescent ligands) or fluorescence intensity assays (fluorescent ligands). These experimental assays have confirmed one compound (paclitaxel) to inhibit BoNT/A's proteolytic activity experimentally with an IC50 of 5.2 μM. A fluorescent derivative was also confirmed to bind to the toxin and therefore is a suitable candidate for the rational design of new detection agents and for the development of fluorescence-based multiprobe detection assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saedeh Dadgar
- Department of Chemistry, Lakehead University and Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada
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Wang D, Baudys J, Ye Y, Rees JC, Barr JR, Pirkle JL, Kalb SR. Improved detection of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A by Endopep-MS through peptide substrate modification. Anal Biochem 2012; 432:115-23. [PMID: 23017875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2012.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are a family of seven toxin serotypes that are the most toxic substances known to humans. Intoxication with BoNT causes flaccid paralysis and can lead to death if untreated with serotype-specific antibodies. Supportive care, including ventilation, may be necessary. Rapid and sensitive detection of BoNT is necessary for timely clinical confirmation of clinical botulism. Previously, our laboratory developed a fast and sensitive mass spectrometry (MS) method termed the Endopep-MS assay. The BoNT serotypes are rapidly detected and differentiated by extracting the toxin with serotype-specific antibodies and detecting the unique and serotype-specific cleavage products of peptide substrates that mimic the sequence of the BoNT native targets. To further improve the sensitivity of the Endopep-MS assay, we report here the optimization of the substrate peptide for the detection of BoNT/A. Modifications on the terminal groups of the original peptide substrate with acetylation and amidation significantly improved the detection of BoNT/A cleavage products. The replacement of some internal amino acid residues with single or multiple substitutions led to further improvement. An optimized peptide increased assay sensitivity 5-fold with toxin spiked into buffer solution or different biological matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxia Wang
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
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Toxin detection in patients' sera by mass spectrometry during two outbreaks of type A Botulism in France. J Clin Microbiol 2012; 50:4091-4. [PMID: 22993181 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02392-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In two outbreaks of food-borne botulism in France, Clostridium botulinum type A was isolated and characterized from incriminated foods. Botulinum neurotoxin type A was detected in the patients' sera by mouse bioassay and in vitro endopeptidase assay with an immunocapture step and identification of the cleavage products by mass spectrometry.
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50
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Detection of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A, B, and F proteolytic activity in complex matrices with picomolar to femtomolar sensitivity. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:7687-97. [PMID: 22923410 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01664-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid, high-throughput assays that detect and quantify botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) activity in diverse matrices are required for environmental, clinical, pharmaceutical, and food testing. The current standard, the mouse bioassay, is sensitive but is low in throughput and precision. In this study, we present three biochemical assays for the detection and quantification of BoNT serotype A, B, and F proteolytic activities in complex matrices that offer picomolar to femtomolar sensitivity with small assay volumes and total assay times of less than 24 h. These assays consist of magnetic beads conjugated with BoNT serotype-specific antibodies that are used to purify BoNT from complex matrices before the quantification of bound BoNT proteolytic activity using the previously described BoTest reporter substrates. The matrices tested include human serum, whole milk, carrot juice, and baby food, as well as buffers containing common pharmaceutical excipients. The limits of detection were below 1 pM for BoNT/A and BoNT/F and below 10 pM for BoNT/B in most tested matrices using 200-μl samples and as low as 10 fM for BoNT/A with an increased sample volume. Together, these data describe rapid, robust, and high-throughput assays for BoNT detection that are compatible with a wide range of matrices.
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