Current state of diagnostics of pathogens of viral hemorrhagic fevers using isothermal amplification method

The work is an overview of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method and its application to diagnostics of hemorrhagic fevers. Its objective was to briefly characterize isothermal amplification and systematize the available data on diagnostics by this method of hemorrhagic fevers caused by pathogens belonging to the first pathogenicity group. The review describes the principle of LAMP operation, which is based on the use of chain-displacing activity of DNA polymerase. The advantages of the method, such as high sensitivity and specificity, simplicity of implementation and cost-effectiveness, are considered in detail. Various methods for detecting LAMP results are also discussed, including the turbidimetric method, the use of fluorescent dyes and immunochromatographic analysis. It is noted that LAMP has some limitations, such as the complexity of primer selection and the possibility of false negative results in the presence of mutations in the genome. However, in general, the method seems promising for rapid detection of viruses in the field. The review provides information on the developed diagnostic test systems based on LAMP for detecting RNA of especially dangerous viruses belonging to the Filoviridae and Arenaviridae families. It is noted that despite the promise of the method, at present none of the described test systems are registered or produced on a commercial basis. The conclusion emphasizes the need to develop and implement new methods for diagnosing dangerous viral infections to control the epidemiological situation and develop a strategy for anti-epidemic measures. LAMP is considered a promising method for creating rapid and cost-effective tests.

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