Maximising Affordability of Real-Time Colorimetric LAMP Assays

Advancements in LAMP-Based Diagnostics: Emerging Techniques and Applications in Viral Detection with a Focus on Herpesviruses in Transplant Patient Management

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a highly effective molecular diagnostic technique, particularly advantageous for point-of-care (POC) settings. In recent years, LAMP has expanded to include various adaptations such as DARQ-LAMP, QUASR, FLOS-LAMP, displacement probes and molecular beacons. These methods enable multiplex detection of multiple targets in a single reaction, enhancing cost-effectiveness and diagnostic efficiency. Consequently, LAMP has gained significant traction in diagnosing diverse viruses, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its application for detecting Herpesviridae remains relatively unexplored. This group of viruses is of particular interest due to their latency and potential reactivation, crucial for immunocompromised patients, including organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. This review highlights recent advancements in LAMP for virus diagnosis and explores current research trends and future prospects, emphasizing the detection challenges posed by Herpesviridae.

Allosteric strand displacement isothermal amplification for the visual detection of Toxoplasma gondii in 30 minutes

Early detection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is critical due to a lack of effective treatment for toxoplasmosis.This study established a simple, cost-effective, and rapid colorimetric detection method for T. gondii. The entire testing process, from sample collection to results, takes only 0.5 h. These characteristics fulfill the demands of researchers seeking rapid target detection with minimal equipment reliance. For genomic extraction, this study evaluated the ability of two filter papers to capture genomes. A rapid genomic extraction device combined with the two filter papers was designed to simplify the genomic extraction process, which was completed within 10 min and increased the detection sensitivity tenfold. The method utilized a simplified primer design for isothermal amplification, namely allosteric strand displacement (ASD), and employed an underutilized commercial color indicator, Bromothymol Blue (BTB), for signal output. Compared with other reported indicators, BTB exhibited a more pronounced color change, shifting from blue to yellow in positive samples, facilitating easier visual differentiation. The reaction was completed in 20 min with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.014 T. gondii per microliter.