Utility of MALDI-TOF MS for determination of species identity and blood meal sources of primary malaria vectors on the Kenyan coast

Jonathan Karisa, Kelly Ominde, Mercy Tuwei, Brian Bartilol, Zedekiah Ondieki, Harun Musani, Caroline Wanjiku, Kioko Mwikali, Lawrence Babu, Martin Rono, Mumin Eminov, Charles Mbogo, Philip Bejon, Joseph Mwangangi, Maureen Laroche, Marta Maia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Protein analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) represents a promising tool for entomological surveillance. In this study we tested the discriminative power of this tool for measuring species and blood meal source of main Afrotropical malaria vectors on the Kenyan coast. Methods: Mosquito collections were conducted along the coastal region of Kenya. MALDI-TOF MS spectra were obtained from each individual mosquito’s cephalothorax as well as the abdomens of blood-engorged mosquitoes. The same mosquitoes were also processed using gold standard tests: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for species identification and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for blood meal source identification. Results: Of the 2,332 mosquitoes subjected to MALDI-TOF MS, 85% (1,971/2,332) were considered for database creation and validation. There was an overall accuracy of 97.5% in the identification of members of the An. gambiae ( An. gambiae, 100%; An. arabiensis, 91.9%; An. merus, 97.5%; and An. quadriannulatus, 90.2%) and An. funestus ( An. funestus, 94.2%; An. rivulorum, 99.4%; and An. leesoni, 94.1%) complexes. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF MS also provided accurate (94.5% accuracy) identification of blood host sources across all mosquito species. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence of the discriminative power of MALDI-TOF MS to identify sibling species and blood meal source of Afrotropical malaria vectors, further supporting its utility in entomological surveillance. The low cost per sample (<0.2USD) and high throughput nature of the method represents a cost-effective alternative to molecular methods and could enable programs to increase the number of samples analysed and therefore improve the data generated from surveillance activities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number151
JournalWellcome Open Research
Volume8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Anopheles
  • Coast
  • entomological surveillance
  • high-throughput
  • Kenya
  • MALDI-TOF MS
  • mass spectrometry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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