Development and validation of reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification for detection of PRRSV

To establish a reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method for rapid detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), four primers specific to six regions of the N gene were designed. After amplification in an isothermal water bath for 1 h, samples containing PRRSV generated the expected ladder-like products while porcine parvovirus, porcine circovirus, classic swine fever virus, pseudorabies virus, and swine testis cells generated no product. The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-LAMP assay were evaluated by comparison with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. Because it is specific and simple, the RT-LAMP assay will be useful for the diagnosis of PRRSV infection.