Colorimetric reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2021
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been spreading rapidly all over the world. In the absence of effective treatments or a vaccine, there is an urgent need to develop a more rapid and simple detection technology of COVID-19. We describe a WarmStart colorimetric reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for the detection of SARSCoV-2. The detection limit for this assay was 1 copy/mu L SARS-CoV-2. To test the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay, 37 positive and 20 negative samples were used. The WarmStart colorimetric RT-LAMP had 100% sensitivity and specificity. End products were detected by direct observation, thereby eliminating the need for post-amplification processing steps. WarmStart colorimetric RT-LAMP provides an opportunity to facilitate virus detection in resource limited settings without a sophisticated diagnostic infrastructure.
Keywords
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Virus detection
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
Prototype Research Grant Scheme [PR001-2020B],Ministry of Education, Malaysia
Publication Title
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume
105
Issue
2
Publisher
Amer Soc Trop Med & Hygiene
Publisher Location
8000 WESTPARK DR, STE 130, MCLEAN, VA 22101 USA