Evaluation of the Illumigene Malaria LAMP: A Robust Molecular Diagnostic Tool for Malaria Parasites.
Isothermal nucleic acid amplification assays such as the loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), are well suited for field use as they do not require thermal cyclers to amplify the DNA. To further facilitate the use of LAMP assays in remote settings, simpler sample preparation methods and lyophilized reagents are required. The performance of a commercial malaria LAMP assay (Illumigene Malaria LAMP) was evaluated using two sample preparation workflows (simple filtration prep (SFP)) and gravity-driven filtration prep (GFP)) and pre-dispensed lyophilized reagents. Laboratory and clinical samples were tested in a field laboratory in Senegal and the results independently confirmed in a reference laboratory in the U.S.A. The Illumigene Malaria LAMP assay was easily implemented in the clinical laboratory and gave similar results to a real-time PCR reference test with limits of detection of ≤2.0 parasites/μl depending on the sample preparation method used. This assay reliably detected Plasmodium sp. parasites in a simple low-tech format, providing a much needed alternative to the more complex molecular tests for malaria diagnosis.
Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Naomi W
NW
Lucchi
Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.
Marie
M
Gaye
Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.
Mammadou Alpha
MA
Diallo
Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Ira F
IF
Goldman
Atlanta Research and Education Foundation/VA Medical Center, Decatur GA, United States.
Dragan
D
Ljolje
Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.
Awa Bineta
AB
Deme
Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.
Aida
A
Badiane
Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.
Yaye Die
YD
Ndiaye
Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.
John W
JW
Barnwell
Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Venkatachalam
V
Udhayakumar
Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.
Daouda
D
Ndiaye
D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D016054:DNA, Protozoan