Table 5.
Side-by-side comparison of the mouse bioassay and the mass spectrometry method for BoNT/E in human serum.
| BoNT Type E (mLD50) | MALDI-TOF MS | Mouse Bioassay | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replicate 1 | Replicate 2 | Mouse 1 | Mouse 2 | |
| 15.0 | Positive | Positive | Expired | Expired |
| 7.5 | Positive | Positive | Expired | Expired |
| 3.0 | Positive | Positive | Sacrificed 1 | Survived |
| 0.3 | Positive | Positive | Survived | Survived |
| 0.03 | Negative | Negative | Survived | Survived |
| 0.003 | Negative | Negative | Survived | Survived |
| Negative | Negative | Negative | Survived | Survived |
1 One mouse with a dose of 3 mLD50 showed signs of botulism intoxication (wasp-waist, labored breathing, impaired locomotion, ruffled fur) and was sacrificed 22 h post inoculation.