Extraction-Free Colorimetric RT-LAMP Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva.
Ane Rivas-MachoAne SorarrainJose María MarimónFelipe Goñi-de-CerioGarbiñe OlabarriaPublished in: Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)
The pandemic situation caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the need of fast, simple, and cost-effective tests for the diagnosis of emerging pathogens. RT-qPCR has been established as the reference technique for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This method requires a time-consuming protocol for the extraction of the nucleic acids present in the sample. A colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification using the calcein molecule combined with a simple extraction-free method for saliva samples (calcein RT-LAMP) has been developed. Samples are heated 95 °C for 10 min before amplification at 63 °C for 40 min. The results can be observed by fluorescence or by the naked eye with a color change from orange to green. The method was compared with commercialized available colorimetric and fluorescent RT-LAMP kits. The developed method shows better sensitivity and specificity than the colorimetric commercial RT-LAMP and the same as the fluorescent RT-LAMP, without the need of a fluorescent reader. Moreover, the calcein RT-LAMP has, compared to RT-qPCR, a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 100% for saliva samples with a Ct ≤ 34, without the need for expensive RT-qPCR instruments, demonstrating the potential of this method for population screening.
Keyphrases
- loop mediated isothermal amplification
- sars cov
- sensitive detection
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- quantum dots
- gold nanoparticles
- living cells
- label free
- hydrogen peroxide
- fluorescent probe
- coronavirus disease
- randomized controlled trial
- computed tomography
- transcription factor
- magnetic resonance imaging
- magnetic resonance
- nitric oxide