LAMP Assay: Could it be a Boon for the Molecular Diagnosis of COVID-19?

Abstract

Isothermal amplification Á Low costDear Editor, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a major threat for mankind and poses a great challenge to global economy. On 31 st December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed about a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China [1]. Subsequent investigations identified a completely unique sequence of coronavirus which differed from existing type SARS-CoV known as SARS-CoV-2. Initially, it was observed within the Wuhan province of China but later spread fast to rest of the world, which forced WHO to declare COVID-19 as pandemic. So far there is a total of 10,302,867 confirmed cases, with 505,518 global deaths, while 5,558,161 are recovered cases. In India, a total of 5,68,473 confirmed cases out of which 2,15,838 of active cases and 3,35,656 of recovered cases also 16,919 of the death cases are reported till date. The SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA

Evaluation of RT-LAMP Assay for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2

“… 2 It enables the detection of viral RNA at very low levels, and is highly sensitive and especially reliable. However, although PCR-based tests can diagnose COVID-19 within a short period, 3 they still have a variety of limitations, such as the complex experimental conditions that are required, the demand for skilled technical personnel, and the high cost. 4 …”