title: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry applied to virus identification.
abstract: Virus detection and/or identification traditionally rely on methods based on cell culture, electron microscopy and antigen or nucleic acid detection. These techniques are good, but often expensive and/or time-consuming; furthermore, they not always lead to virus identification at the species and/or type level. In this study, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was tested as an innovative tool to identify human polioviruses and to identify specific viral protein biomarkers in infected cells. The results revealed MALDI-TOF MS to be an effective and inexpensive tool for the identification of the three poliovirus serotypes. The method was firstly applied to Sabin reference strains, and then to isolates from different clinical samples, highlighting its value as a time-saving, sensitive and specific technique when compared to the gold standard neutralization assay and casting new light on its possible application to virus detection and/or identification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calderaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria-Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Arcangeletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodighiero
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buttrini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gorrini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Germini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria-Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Medici
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chezzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Flora
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Conto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D065288:Serogroup; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins