Pathogens (Nov 2024)

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): An Innovative Approach for the Environmental Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2

  • Simona Spiteri,
  • Federica Marino,
  • Luna Girolamini,
  • Maria Rosaria Pascale,
  • Carlo Derelitto,
  • Laura Caligaris,
  • Simone Paghera,
  • Sandra Cristino

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13111022
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 11
p. 1022

Abstract

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The rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental settings is crucial for effective public health management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study compares the performance of the Reverse Transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the Reverse Transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) for SARS-CoV-2 detection from 100 surface samples collected in healthcare environments. The reference method, RT-qPCR, identified a percentage of 25% of positive samples, while RT-LAMP detected a percentage of 27% of positive surfaces. Our findings reveal a sensitivity of 32% and specificity of 75% for RT-LAMP, with a positive predictive value of 30% and a negative predictive value of 77%. The overall accuracy and concordance with RT-qPCR was 64% for both methods. Despite its lower sensitivity compared to RT-qPCR, RT-LAMP had an advantage due to its rapid screening and environmental surveillance, which is particularly useful for confirming negative results. These results underscore the potential of RT-LAMP not only as a valuable method in the environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 but also as a system to control the sanitation process in ordinary and emergency conditions, providing further optimization and validation for its reliability in routine surveillance and outbreak response efforts.

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