LAMP technology provides a number of advantages over existing molecular diagnostic platforms. Utilising isothermal technology provides a cost-effective solution which is fast, highly accurate, and has the ability to cope with crude samples from Nasopharyngeal Swabs to Urine.
What is LAMP?
LAMP and RT-LAMP technology is a type of Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) which uses isothermal technology to detect the presence of infectious pathogen molecules (either pathogenic DNA or RNA) from a patient sample. By using a number of primer sequences unique to the molecule being detected and a special polymerase enzyme, the reaction takes place on board the HiberGene platform allowing for the detection of a positive sample in 15-30 mins. HiberGene’s LAMP assays can be performed using a variety of sample types (Swabs, Urine, Stool, CMF) without the need to extract the sample, significantly reducing sample turnaround times leading to faster results. PCR testing is another type of NAAT which detects the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of the infectious disease to detect a current infection.
HiberGene’s COVID-19 test demonstrates high sensitivity (the ability of the test to correctly detect positive samples) and specificity (the ability of the test to correctly identify negative samples) by utilising a combination of LAMP and RT-LAMP.
WHO Guidelines recommend the use of molecular amplification tests for the detection of COVID-19 due to their superior sensitivity, specificity, and speed. LAMP technology is clinically proven to provide highly accurate and specific results and aligns with the World Health Organisation recommendations as a NAAT detection method for infectious diseases. See report.
What is an Antigen test?
Antigen testing works by detecting proteins on the virus surface rather than detecting the virus itself. These rapid tests work by mixing the sample with a chemical which releases the specific viral proteins which can then be detected on a strip designed to trap these proteins. Although antigen testing is very quick, the sensitivity and specificity is reduced compared to molecular tests (LAMP and PCR) so ideally are used as a screening or combined approach methodology.
What are Antibody tests?
These tests detect antibodies which the body generates in response to a prior COVID-19 infection. They do not detect a current active infection. If test results show that you have antibodies, it indicates that you were likely infected with COVID-19 at some time in the past. It may also mean that you have some immunity. The World Health Organization cautions that there’s a lack of evidence on whether having antibodies means you’re protected against reinfection with COVID-19. The level of immunity and how long immunity lasts are not yet known. Ongoing studies will eventually reveal more data on this.
Links
- Countries requiring Negative Covid-19 Test for travel
- CTO Dr. Gary Keating explains the principles of LAMP Technology
- HiberGene announces CE Marking of Covid-19 Test
- Irish Department of Health – Report of the Covid-19 Rapid Testing Group including LAMP
References
- Notomi, T. Okayama, H. Masubuchi, H. Yonekawa, T. Watanabe, K. Amino, N. and Hase, T. (2000) ‘Loop-mediated isothermal amplification of DNA’, Nucleic Acids Research, 28(12)
- Nagaime, K. Hase, T. and Notomi, T. (2002) ‘Accelerated reaction by loop-mediated isothermal amplification using loop primers’, Molecular and Cellular Probes, 16, pp 223-229
- Wong, Y.-P. Othman, S. Lau, Y.-L., Radu, S. and Chee, H.-Y. (2017) ‘Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): a versatile technique for detection of micro-organisms’, Journal of Applied Microbiology, 124, pp 626-643
- Mori, Y. and Notomi, T. (2009) ‘Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): a rapid, accurate and cost-effective diagnostic method for infectious diseases’, J Infect Chemother, 15, pp 62-69
- Parida, M. Sannarangaiah, S. Dash, P.-Y. Rao, P.V.L and Morita, K. (2008), ‘Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): a new generation of innovative gene amplification technique; perspectives in clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases’, Reviews in Medical Virology, 18, pp 407-421
- James, A.S. and Alawneh, J.I (2020), ‘COVID-19 Infection Diagnosis: Potential Impact of Isothermal Amplification Technology to Reduce Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2’, Diagnostics, 10
- Augustine, R. Hasan, A. Das, S. Ahmed, R. Mori, Y. Notomi, T Kevadiya, B.D and Thakor, A.S (2020) ‘Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): A Rapid, Sensitive, Specific, and Cost-Effective Point-of-Care Test for Coronaviruses in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic’ Biology, 9
