Different forms of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the detection of human viruses

Abstract

Infections caused by viruses in humans can result in serious illnesses and even death. This means that early detection and diagnosis is extremely important for the control of these diseases. Currently, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is regarded as a reliable method because as well as being cost-effective, simple and innovative, it allows nucleic acids to be amplified without the need for a large laboratory management structure. Thus, LAMP assay can be viewed as a highly efficient molecular-based advanced detection technique for several pathogens, including viruses. Systems based on LAMP have the following features: isothermal amplification, reproducibility and robustness, and they can be used when there is scarce or low quality genetic material. The amplification involves making use of, a maximum set of three specifically- designed primers and a DNA polymerase with strand-shifting activity. In most cases, this technique is far superior to other molecular techniques such as, for example, the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its variants. The main advantage of the LAMP method is its cost-effectiveness, as it can be employed by means of a thermocycler, water bath or thermoblock. In this mini-review, information is provided about some of the main variants of the LAMP technique which have been designed for the diagnosis of several human viral pathogens.