Development of a dual-gene loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) detection assay for SARS-CoV-2: A preliminary study

Azeem Mehmood Butt; Shafiqa Siddique; Xiaoping An; Yigang Tong

SARS-CoV-2 associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly become a global public health emergency since its outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019 [2] . The current recommended testing method for patients exhibiting clinical features of COVID-19 is the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 via real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). The rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 can be performed on nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs, sputum or alveolar lavage fluid depending upon the sample processing local/international guidelines and available facilities [3, 4] . However, COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted several caveats of the PCR-based testing when it comes down to the point of mass-testing coupled with urgent reporting. For instance, PCR testing requires wellequipped centralized laboratories capable of handling respiratory pathogens, dedicated instruments such as PCR machines and skilled staff to ensure the smooth processing which isn't always possible particularly in less developed or resource limited communities. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 has pushed even the developed nations to levels where they are struggling to ensure rapid and effective testing for every suspected case, one can imagine how catastrophic the situation can be in countries with limited healthcare facilities and resources. In addition, falsenegative PCR results from several COVID-19 patients is also becoming a matter of concern raising questions about the accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 PCR assays [5] [6] [7] . Therefore, a great deal of effort is shifting towards deployment of accurate yet rapid, cost-effective and point-of-care testing methodologies.