Salmonella Serotype Identification by Multi-Peak MALDI-MS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying Salmonella bacteria serotypes using MALDI-MS are inadequate, as they often rely on a single protein peak, which is not sufficient for accurate differentiation, especially among closely related serotypes, and can only identify a limited number of serotypes.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the presence or absence of specific peaks at predetermined mass-to-charge ratios in a mass spectrum to identify Abony, Pakistan, Minnesota, Infantis, Brandenburg, Schwarzengrund, and Montevideo serotypes of Salmonella bacteria, using combinations of mass-to-charge ratios to differentiate between these serotypes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single protein peak is used for identification, then the method is simple and fast, but the identification accuracy is insufficient for closely related serotypes
Solution Approach 1:
The identification process is segmented into multiple stages: first identifying species-level markers, then serogroup markers, and finally serotype-specific markers. This hierarchical segmentation allows the system to maintain speed while progressively refining identification accuracy through multiple targeted peak comparisons rather than requiring analysis of all peaks at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional single-peak identification to multi-dimensional pattern recognition by analyzing multiple mass-to-charge ratios simultaneously. Each serotype is characterized by a unique combination of peak positions and intensities across multiple dimensions, enabling accurate differentiation of closely related serotypes while maintaining computational efficiency through pattern matching algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If multiple protein peaks are used for identification, then the serotype identification accuracy improves, but the complexity of analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex multi-peak analysis into a hierarchical framework with three distinct levels: species identification peaks, serogroup identification peaks, and serotype-specific peaks. This segmentation reduces analysis complexity by allowing the system to proceed through stages, only performing deeper analysis when higher-level identification is confirmed, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification at the species and serogroup levels before proceeding to serotype-specific analysis. This preliminary action filters out negative cases early in the process, reducing the number of samples that require complex multi-peak analysis and thereby reducing overall system complexity while preserving accuracy for cases that require it.
3Productivity
If traditional MALDI-MS methods are used, then analysis is fast, but the number of identifiable serotypes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal identification framework that can identify multiple serotypes across different Salmonella species using the same MALDI-MS platform. By establishing a hierarchical marker system that works across species, serogroups, and serotypes, the system achieves multi-functionality, expanding the number of identifiable serotypes without requiring different analytical methods for each level, thereby maintaining speed while increasing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent expands the range of detectable serotypes by monitoring multiple mass-to-charge ratio parameters simultaneously rather than relying on a single peak. By identifying specific m/z values characteristic of different serotypes and analyzing their presence, absence, and relative intensities, the system can differentiate a broader range of serotypes using the same fast MALDI-MS technique, thus increasing adaptability without sacrificing productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate identification of specific serotypes of Salmonella bacteria by utilizing specific peak patterns, improving the accuracy and expanding the number of identifiable serotypes beyond what is possible with single protein peak methods.
Implementation Method 1
the matrix substance absorbs the energy of the laser light and becomes rapidly heated to be ultimately vaporized
Implementation Method 2
A matrix substance, which considerably absorbs laser light and is thereby easily ionized
Implementation Method 3
The solvent in the solution is subsequently vaporized to obtain a dried matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A method for analyzing a microorganism including an identification step for determining which of Abony and Pakistan which are two serotypes of Salmonella bacteria is contained in a sample which contains either Abony or Pakistan, based on the presence or absence of a peak (or peaks) at a predetermined mass-to-charge ratio (or ratios) in a mass spectrum obtained by a mass spectrometric analysis of the sample, or a method for analyzing a microorganism including an identification step for determining which of Minnesota, Infantis and Brandenburg which are three serotypes of Salmonella bacteria is contained in a sample which contains Minnesota, Infantis or Brandenburg, based on the presence or absence of a peak (or peaks) at a predetermined mass-to-charge ratio (or ratios) in a mass spectrum obtained by a mass spectrometric analysis of the sample, or a method for analyzing a microorganism including an identification step for determining which of Schwarzengrund and Montevideo which are two serotypes of Salmonella bacteria is contained in a sample which contains either Schwarzengrund or Montevideo, based on the presence or absence of a peak (or peaks) at a predetermined mass-to-charge ratio (or ratios) in a mass spectrum obtained by a mass spectrometric analysis of the sample.