Analysis, quantification, and visualization of RT-LAMP technique for detection of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: SARS-Cov-2 is a new virus that caused an epidemic disease, COVID-19. According to the world health organization, detecting the patients/carriers is by the far the most important action to prevent the pandemic. Recently, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique has become more popular due to the easy handling of a one-step kit used for the detection of many diseases than RT-PCR-based techniques. Methods: Herein, we used the RT-LAMP technique so as to detect COVID-19. To this end, 40 paired-samples of patients and healthy people had been collected and tested by RT-PCR for N and E genes of SARS-CoV-2. The RT-LAMP test has been performed on samples for the RdRp gene. The sensitivity and specificity of tests have been determined. Results: The testing results are consistent with the conventional RT-qPCR. Additionally, we also showed that a one-step process without RNA extraction is feasible to achieve RNA amplification directly from a sample. Conclusion: We confirmed that RT-LAMP is a rapid, simple, and sensitive method that can be used as a large-screening method, particularly in regional hospitals with limited access to high-technologies.