Rapid detection and differentiation of foot and mouth disease virus serotypes by antigen-capture reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Aiming at providing an effective method for rapid detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV), this study developed an antigen-capture reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification method (Ag-RT/LAMP). Diluted FMDV were bond by the tubes coated with IgG of FMDV and then detected by Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). This method could detect as few as 0.58x102 copies of virus and showed higher sensitivity than RT-PCR and could also differentiate FMDV serotypes with high sensitivity and specificity, but if the samples contain high concentrations of virus this serotype specificity may be unstable. In addition, the entire reaction required only a single incubation at 63°C for 3 h. The amplification products could be visually inspected for color change. Ag-RT/LAMP is sensitive, serotype specific, cost-effective, time-saving, and versatile, with the potential for analysis of field clinical specimens in developing countries for FMDV surveillance. © 2013 Academic Journals Inc.