LAMP Using a Disposable Pocket Warmer for Anthrax Detection, a Highly Mobile and Reliable Method for Anti-Bioterrorism

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 36 - 40
• Main Authors: Hatano, Ben, Maki, Takayuki, Obara, Takeyuki, Fukumoto, Hitomi, Hagisawa, Kohsuke, Matsushita, Yoshitaro, Okutani, Akiko, Bazartseren, Boldbaatar, Inoue, Satoshi, Sata, Tetsutaro, Katano, Harutaka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases Editorial Committee 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Antigens, Bacterial - genetics; Bacillus anthracis - genetics; Bacillus anthracis - isolation & purification; Bacterial Toxins - genetics; Bacteriological Techniques - methods; Bioterrorism; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; Humans; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques - methods; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 1344-6304; 1884-2836; 1884-2836
• DOI: 10.7883/yoken.63.36

A quick, reliable detection system is necessary to deal with bioterrorism. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a DNA amplification method that can amplify specific DNA fragments in isothermal conditions. We developed a new highly mobile and practical LAMP anthrax detection system that uses a disposable pocket warmer without the need for electricity (pocket-warmer LAMP). In our tests, the detection limit of the pocket-warmer LAMP was 1,000 copies of Bacillus anthracis pag and capB gene fragments per tube. The pocket-warmer LAMP also detected B. anthracis genes from DNA extracted from 0.1 volume of a B. anthracis colony. The lower detection limit of the pocket-warmer LAMP was not significantly different from that of a conventional LAMP using a heat block, and was not changed under cold (4ºC) or warm (37ºC) conditions in a Styrofoam box. The pocket-warmer LAMP could be useful against bioterrorism, and as a sensitive, reliable detection tool in areas with undependable electricity infrastructures.