Extensive evaluation of a new LC-MS-MS method to quantify monofluoroacetate toxin in the kidney
James Langston1,2, Samuel Stump1, Michael Filigenzi1
1California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States.
Abstract:
Monofluoroacetate is a highly lethal toxin that causes death by inhibiting cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The heart and brain are the primary target organs. Acute death is attributed to cardiac fibrillation and/or convulsions. Although it occurs naturally in some plants, a major source of animal intoxication is access to sodium monofluoroacetate (NaMFA) pesticide, which continues to be a concern in the USA and around the world despite restricted use in some countries including the USA. There are also concerns about misuse of this pesticide for malicious poisoning. Currently, a tissue-based diagnostic method for NaMFA intoxication in animals is lacking. There is a critical need by the veterinary diagnostic community for a simple, sensitive and reliable tissue-based diagnostic test to confirm NaMFA poisoning in animals. We have developed and extensively evaluated a sensitive novel liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry method suitable for this purpose. The limits of detection and limits of quantitation are 1.7 and 5.0 ng/g, respectively. The accuracy and precision met or exceeded expectations. The method performance was verified using the incurred kidney obtained from animal diagnostic cases. This novel kidney-based method is now available for clinical use and can help with diagnostic purposes, including detecting potential issues related to animal foods.
Insights
Sodium monofluoroacetate (NaMFA) is a lethal toxin causing cardiac and brain damage. A new kidney-based liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method offers sensitive and reliable detection of NaMFA poisoning in animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Animal Health Diagnostics
Background:
- Monofluoroacetate is a potent toxin inhibiting cellular ATP production, primarily affecting the heart and brain.
- Sodium monofluoroacetate (NaMFA) pesticide is a significant source of animal intoxication globally, despite restricted use.
- A validated tissue-based diagnostic test for NaMFA intoxication in animals is currently unavailable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a sensitive, reliable, and tissue-based diagnostic method for NaMFA intoxication in animals.
- To address the critical need for a confirmatory test for veterinary diagnostic laboratories.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.
- Validation of the method using incurred kidney samples from animal diagnostic cases.
- Determination of method sensitivity (limit of detection: 1.7 ng/g) and quantitation (limit of quantitation: 5.0 ng/g).
Main Results:
- The developed LC-MS/MS method demonstrated high sensitivity and reliability for NaMFA detection.
- Method accuracy and precision met or exceeded established performance criteria.
- The method was successfully verified using real-world animal diagnostic case samples.
Conclusions:
- A novel, sensitive, and reliable kidney-based LC-MS/MS method for NaMFA detection has been developed and validated.
- This method is suitable for clinical use in veterinary diagnostics.
- The test can aid in diagnosing NaMFA poisoning and identifying potential issues in animal food sources.
More Related Videos
08:41Integration of Miniaturized Solid Phase Extraction and LC-MS/MS Detection of 3-Nitrotyrosine in Human Urine for Clinical Applications
Published on: July 14, 2017
10:37Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025