An at-home and electro-free COVID-19 rapid test based on colorimetric RT-LAMP

Introduction: In the fight against virus-caused pandemics like COVID-19, diagnostic tests based on RT-qPCR are essential, but they are sometimes limited by their dependence on expensive, specialized equipment and skilled personnel. Consequently, an alternative nucleic acid detection technique that...

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Main Authors: Diem Hong Tran, Hau Thi Tran, Trang Nguyen Minh Pham, Le Minh Bui, Huong Thi Thu Phung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2024-08-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/17839
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author Diem Hong Tran
Hau Thi Tran
Trang Nguyen Minh Pham
Le Minh Bui
Huong Thi Thu Phung
author_facet Diem Hong Tran
Hau Thi Tran
Trang Nguyen Minh Pham
Le Minh Bui
Huong Thi Thu Phung
author_sort Diem Hong Tran
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: In the fight against virus-caused pandemics like COVID-19, diagnostic tests based on RT-qPCR are essential, but they are sometimes limited by their dependence on expensive, specialized equipment and skilled personnel. Consequently, an alternative nucleic acid detection technique that overcomes these restrictions, called loop-mediated isothermal amplification following reverse transcription (RT-LAMP), has been broadly investigated. Nevertheless, the developed RT-LAMP assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection still require laboratory devices and electrical power, limiting their widespread use as rapid home tests. This work developed a flexible RT-LAMP assay that gets beyond the drawbacks of the available isothermal LAMP-based SARS-CoV-2 detection, establishing a simple and effective at-home diagnostic tool for COVID-19. Methodology: A multiplex direct RT-LAMP assay, modified from the previously developed test was applied to simultaneously identify the two genes of SARS-CoV-2. We used a colorimetric readout, lyophilized reagents, and benchmarked an electro-free and micropipette-free method that enables sensitive and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 in home settings. Results: Forty-one nasopharyngeal swab samples were tested using the developed home-testing RT-LAMP (HT-LAMP) assay, showing 100% agreement with the RT-qPCR results. Conclusions: This is the first electrically independent RT-LAMP assay successfully developed for SARS-CoV-2 detection in a home setting. Our HT-LAMP assay is thus an important development for diagnosing COVID-19 or any other infectious pandemic on a population scale.
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publisher The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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spelling doaj-art-02ca4511fe0845f5b8b4b2f44ae5bc372025-08-20T02:27:07ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802024-08-01180810.3855/jidc.17839An at-home and electro-free COVID-19 rapid test based on colorimetric RT-LAMPDiem Hong Tran0Hau Thi Tran1Trang Nguyen Minh Pham2Le Minh Bui3Huong Thi Thu Phung4NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamNTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamNTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamNTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamNTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Introduction: In the fight against virus-caused pandemics like COVID-19, diagnostic tests based on RT-qPCR are essential, but they are sometimes limited by their dependence on expensive, specialized equipment and skilled personnel. Consequently, an alternative nucleic acid detection technique that overcomes these restrictions, called loop-mediated isothermal amplification following reverse transcription (RT-LAMP), has been broadly investigated. Nevertheless, the developed RT-LAMP assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection still require laboratory devices and electrical power, limiting their widespread use as rapid home tests. This work developed a flexible RT-LAMP assay that gets beyond the drawbacks of the available isothermal LAMP-based SARS-CoV-2 detection, establishing a simple and effective at-home diagnostic tool for COVID-19. Methodology: A multiplex direct RT-LAMP assay, modified from the previously developed test was applied to simultaneously identify the two genes of SARS-CoV-2. We used a colorimetric readout, lyophilized reagents, and benchmarked an electro-free and micropipette-free method that enables sensitive and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 in home settings. Results: Forty-one nasopharyngeal swab samples were tested using the developed home-testing RT-LAMP (HT-LAMP) assay, showing 100% agreement with the RT-qPCR results. Conclusions: This is the first electrically independent RT-LAMP assay successfully developed for SARS-CoV-2 detection in a home setting. Our HT-LAMP assay is thus an important development for diagnosing COVID-19 or any other infectious pandemic on a population scale. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/17839COVID-19 diagnosishome-testing kitrapid testelectro-freeRT-LAMP
spellingShingle Diem Hong Tran
Hau Thi Tran
Trang Nguyen Minh Pham
Le Minh Bui
Huong Thi Thu Phung
An at-home and electro-free COVID-19 rapid test based on colorimetric RT-LAMP
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
COVID-19 diagnosis
home-testing kit
rapid test
electro-free
RT-LAMP
title An at-home and electro-free COVID-19 rapid test based on colorimetric RT-LAMP
title_full An at-home and electro-free COVID-19 rapid test based on colorimetric RT-LAMP
title_fullStr An at-home and electro-free COVID-19 rapid test based on colorimetric RT-LAMP
title_full_unstemmed An at-home and electro-free COVID-19 rapid test based on colorimetric RT-LAMP
title_short An at-home and electro-free COVID-19 rapid test based on colorimetric RT-LAMP
title_sort at home and electro free covid 19 rapid test based on colorimetric rt lamp
topic COVID-19 diagnosis
home-testing kit
rapid test
electro-free
RT-LAMP
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/17839
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