Mass spectrometry (MS) is a versatile analytical tool used in various fields such as biochemistry, pharmacology, omics, and clinical analysis for determining and quantifying compounds based on their molecular mass and structure through the mass-to-charge ratio. While MS offers high specificity and selectivity, it encounters challenges including matrix effects, in-source fragmentation, and other interferences caused by natural isotopic abundance, as well as isomeric and isobaric compounds. These challenges can impede accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis. Visual aids such as graphical illustrations can help elucidate the chemical differences and similarities among isotopes, isomers, and isobaric compounds.
The rapid detection and differentiation of strains of the BA.2.86 lineage including the new sub-variant JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) is demonstrated employing selected ion monitoring (SIM) and high resolution mass spectrometry.
A study of a preliminary set of BA.2.86 lineage positive specimens, identified BA.2.86 and BA.2.86.1.1 peptide markers in 62.5 % and 29.1 % of samples.
Peptide-specific markers in the surface spike protein associated with the L455S mutation are confidently detected with high sensitivity in protein and virus digests.
The virus was thus confidently assigned in over 91 % of positive specimens.
A rise in the global prevalence of the JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) immune evasive sub-variant, that emerged in late 2023, requires that new strategies and protocols to detect such strains in human specimens are accelerated and implemented.
Reference measurement procedures are an essential element in the standardization and comparability of analytical measurement results in laboratory medicine. No LC-MS/MS-based reference measurement procedure for cefepime in serum has been published previously.
An isotope-dilution based two-dimensional LC-MS/MS reference measurement procedure for cefepime concentrations in human serum was developed and tested. The value assignment of unknown samples is based on a defined measurement series validation. Six unknown samples can be measured per series. Pass criteria for the run and the samples were determined empirically based on a performance evaluation. For this purpose, a between-run determination of five runs of the defined measurement series with six cefepime samples was carried out and evaluated. The goal was to define rigorous, realistic target limits and minimize measurement uncertainty. The final defined target limits are used for series-based validation and value assignment. The results for the six unknown samples are provided with the associated measurement uncertainty for this series.
The developed and extensively studied measurement procedure for the quantification of cefepime in serum was found to be practicable and fit for its purpose. The between-run mean imprecision of the six cefepime samples was ≤ 2.0 %, for the QCs it was ≤ 2.3 % and the between-run mean inaccuracy of the QCs was within ± 1.1 %.
The novel isotope-dilution-LC-MS/MS measurement procedure in accordance to ISO 15193 can be recommended as candidate reference measurement procedure for the value assignment of cefepime concentrations in human serum.
Internal standards correct for measurement variation due to sample loss. Isotope labeled analytes are ideal internal standards for the measurement of fatty acids in human plasma but are not always readily available. For this reason, quantification of multiple analytes at once is most often done using only a single or few internal standards. The magnitude of the impact this has on method accuracy and precision is not well studied for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry systems.
This study aims to estimate bias and changes in uncertainty associated with using alternative fatty acid isotopologue internal standards for the estimation of similar or dissimilar long chain fatty acids.
Using a previously reported method for the quantification of 27 fatty acids in human plasma using 18 internal standards we obtained estimates of bias and uncertainty at up to three levels of fatty acid concentration.
With some notable exceptions, method accuracy remained relatively stable when using an alternative internal standard (Median Relative Absolute Percent Bias: 1.76%, Median Spike-Recovery Absolute Percent Bias: 8.82%), with larger changes in method precision (Median Increase in Variance: 141%). Additionally, the degree of difference between analyte and internal standard structure was related to the magnitude of bias and uncertainty of the measurement.
The data presented here show that the choice of internal standard used to estimate fatty acid concentration can affect the accuracy and reliability of measurement results and, therefore, needs to be assessed carefully when developing analytical methods for the measurement of fatty acid profiles.
Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Service, and the US Department of Health and Human Services.