Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for speedy diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenitis: The...

Tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBLA), the most common presentation of tuberculosis, poses a significant diagnostic challenge in the developing countries. Timely, accurate and cost-effective diagnosis can decrease the high morbidity associated with TBLA especially in resource-poor high-endemic regions. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (LAMP), using two targets, was evaluated for the diagnosis of TBLA.

LAMP assay using 3 sets of primers (each for IS6110 and MPB64) was performed on 170 fine needle aspiration samples (85 confirmed, 35 suspected, 50 control cases of TBLA). Results were compared against IS6110 PCR, cytology, culture and smear.

The overall sensitivity and specificity of LAMP assay, using multi-targeted approach, was 90% and 100% respectively in diagnosing TBLA. The sensitivity of multi-targeted LAMP, only MPB64 LAMP, only IS6110 LAMP and IS6110 PCR was 91.7%, 89.4%, 84.7% and 75.2%, respectively among confirmed cases and 85.7%, 77.1%, 68.5% and 60%, respectively among suspected cases of TBLA. Additional 12/120 (10%) cases were detected using multi-targeted method.

The multi-targeted LAMP, with its speedy and reliable results, is a potential diagnostic test for TBLA in low-resource countries.