New Method to Detect SARS-CoV-2 in Just 2 Hours Using Existing Mass Spectrometers
Researchers from the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) have developed a groundbreaking method that allows commercially available mass spectrometers to reliably detect the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Published in the journal Clinical Proteomics, this new method offers a swift and efficient way to identify the virus, taking merely two hours from swab to result.
The utilization of existing mass spectrometers, commonly found in hospitals and laboratories for detecting bacterial and fungal infections, makes this method easily accessible. Moreover, the approach can be modified to detect other pathogens, making it a valuable tool in future pandemics.
To analyze the virus, a nasal or throat swab is acquired and prepared. The sample is then subjected to mass spectrometry, a process that takes only a few seconds. In this particular method, known as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, a laser pulse moves the sample to the gas phase and measures the mass of individual virus particles. Professor Andrea Sinz, specializing in mass spectrometry and proteins at the Institute of Pharmacy at MLU, highlights the advantage of this approach, stating, This allows us to directly and unambiguously measure individual virus particles of the coronavirus. Thus false-positive results can be ruled out.
While the team was able to demonstrate the ability of mass spectrometers to detect SARS-CoV-2 back in July 2020, the process was time-consuming and required high-end equipment. However, the new method takes advantage of the fact that MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers are already widely used for diagnosing bacterial and fungal infections, offering a readily available solution. Additionally, these devices can distinguish between different variants of the virus.
Although this method is not yet as sensitive as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the most sensitive coronavirus test to date, it compensates for its slightly lower sensitivity with its speed and flexibility. Lydia Kollhoff, lead author of the study, explains, In acute phases, the method would make an ideal addition to PCR because we would be able to analyze a lot of samples very quickly. Rapid and reliable results may make it easier to contain outbreaks. Furthermore, the adaptability of this approach to other pathogens provides an invaluable tool for future pandemics and complements PCR testing.
The team from Halle intends to further optimize the method in collaboration with the University of Leipzig Medical Center. Following this, the method will undergo a certification process, enabling its clinical use.
This novel method showcases a significant step forward in the detection of SARS-CoV-2. By leveraging existing mass spectrometers, researchers have developed a fast and efficient tool that can have immediate impacts on controlling the spread of the virus. As the method continues to be refined, it holds promise for detecting other pathogens in the future.
