LAMP for Rapid Detection of Common Pathogens causing disease in Swine

LAMP stands for Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification. It is a simple rapid, specific and cost-effective diagnostic tool that is based on the dna amplification method.

The LAMP method is comparable to PCR  (polymerase chain reaction) in terms of sensitivity and specificity. In contrast to PCR however, the LAMP method is less costly and less affected by the presence of non-target DNA and inhibitory contaminants. LAMP does not require sophisticated equipment and reagents. Also, it can be used with simple heating devise such as water bath or heat block. Because of its high specificity and visiual indicators of the presence of a pathogen (Notomi et al, 2000) the LAMP method is considered a potential tool for field diagnosis of swine diseases.

In 2010, Australian center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and PCAARD jointly engaged the expertise of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) to develop LAMP assays for the detection of bacterial pathogens causing respiratory diseases in pigs i.e. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Haemophilus parasuis and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

In 2011, PCAARRD supported CLSU and the Philippine Carabao Center in developing LAMP assay and quick test kits for gastrointestinal infections of swine namely PED, TGE, Salmonella cholerasuis and Cryptosporidium parvum (pig genotype II). The development of LAMP-based disease diagnostic juts will benefit the swine raisers especially commercial farms in timely disease diagnosis and application of appropriate control strategies. Also, these kits would enable to provide private and government diagnostic laboratories toprovide quick reliable and cost-effective frontline diagnostic services.

Source: PCAARRD Pamphlet