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Published on: September 13, 2018
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Emerging tools for identification of arthropod vectors
Amina Yssouf1, Lionel Almeras1, Didier Raoult1
1Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar, Sénégal), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France.
Future Microbiology
|April 13, 2016
Summary
Accurate identification of disease-carrying arthropods is vital. Protein profiling using MALDI-TOF MS offers a promising alternative to traditional methods for identifying vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Accurate identification of arthropod vectors is crucial for controlling vector-borne diseases.
- Morphological identification requires specialized entomological expertise, limiting its widespread use.
- There is a need for rapid, reliable, and accessible identification tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current arthropod identification methods.
- To highlight the potential of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for arthropod identification.
- To discuss the practical aspects and limitations of MALDI-TOF MS in this context.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on arthropod identification techniques.
- Focus on protein profiling using MALDI-TOF MS.
- Description of sample preparation, reproducibility analysis, database creation, and accuracy testing for MALDI-TOF MS.
- Illustration using examples of hematophagous arthropods like mosquitoes and ticks.
Main Results:
- MALDI-TOF MS presents a viable alternative and complementary tool for arthropod identification.
- The method's accuracy, reproducibility, and database development are key considerations.
- Advantages include speed and potential for automation, while limitations may involve sample preparation and database coverage.
Conclusions:
- MALDI-TOF MS shows significant promise for the rapid and reliable identification of arthropod vectors.
- This technology can aid in entomological surveillance and disease control efforts.
- Further development and validation are essential for widespread adoption in vector identification.
