Viruses (Sep 2022)

Use of LoopDeelab during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Innovative Device for Field Diagnosis

  • Nefert Candace Dossou,
  • Isidore Gaubert,
  • Elodie Maille,
  • Remy Morello,
  • Renaud Cassier,
  • Cécile Schanen,
  • Jean-Jacques Dutheil,
  • Louis-Marie Rocque,
  • Astrid Vabret,
  • Meriadeg Ar Gouilh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v14092062
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 9
p. 2062

Abstract

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Rapid and accurate diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential for the management of the COVID-19 outbreak. RT-LAMP LoopDeetect COVID-19 (LoopDeescience, France) is a rapid molecular diagnostic tool which operates with the LoopDeelab (LoopDeescience, France) device. RAPID COVID is a prospective double-blind research protocol which was conducted to evaluate the concordance between Loopdeetect COVID-19 and RT-PCR Allplex 2019 n-Cov (Seegene, Korea). Between 11 May 2020 and 14 June 2021, a total of 1122 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected, of which 741 were finally analysed. There were 32 “positive” and “indeterminate” RT-PCR results. The intrinsic performances of Loopdeetect COVID-19 are equivalent to other commercial RT-LAMP PCR COVID-19 kits, with a sensitivity and specificity of 69.23% [CI 95%: 48.21–85.67] and 100% [CI 95%: 99.58–100.00], respectively. To the best of our knowledge, LoopDeelab is the only LAMP PCR diagnostic device allowing such a fast and reliable analysis with low-cost equipment; this makes it a new and innovative technology, designed for field use. This device being portable, the development of other detection kits will be useful for the management of epidemics with a high attack rate and would facilitate the rapid application of health measures.

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