Optimization and Standardization of Human Saliva Collection for MALDI-TOF MS

SARS-CoV-2 outbreak led to unprecedented innovative scientific research to preclude the virus dissemination and limit its impact on life expectancy. Waiting for the collective immunity by vaccination, mass-testing, and isolation of positive cases remain essential. The development of a diagnosis method requiring a simple and non-invasive sampling with a quick and low-cost approach is on demand. We hypothesized that the combination of saliva specimens with MALDI-TOF MS profiling analyses could be the winning duo. Before characterizing MS saliva signatures associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, optimization and standardization of sample collection, preparation and storage up to MS analyses appeared compulsory. In this view, successive experiments were performed on saliva from healthy healthcare workers. Specimen sampling with a roll cotton of Salivette (R) devices appeared the most appropriate collection mode. Saliva protein precipitation with organic buffers did not improved MS spectra profiles compared to a direct loading of samples mixed with acetonitrile/formic acid buffer onto MS plate. The assessment of sample storage conditions and duration revealed that saliva should be stored on ice until MS analysis, which should occur on the day of sampling. Kinetic collection of saliva highlighted reproducibility of saliva MS profiles over four successive days and also at two-week intervals. The intra-individual stability of saliva MS profiles should be a key factor in the future investigation for biomarkers associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the singularity of MS profiles between individuals will require the development of sophisticated bio-statistical analyses such as machine learning approaches. MALDI-TOF MS profiling of saliva could be a promising PCR-free tool for SARS-CoV-2 screening.

Automated summary

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has led to innovative scientific research, with a focus on developing a PCR-free method for screening the virus in saliva samples using MALDI-TOF MS profiling. The research team conducted experiments to optimize sample collection, preparation and storage, and found that saliva stability over time is a key factor in investigating biomarkers associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further sophisticated bio-statistical analyses such as machine learning approaches may be needed for interpreting the individual variability in saliva MS profiles.