Development and use of a multiplex PCR system for the rapid screening of heat labile toxin I, heat stable toxin II and shiga-like toxin I and II genes of Escherichia coli in water

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) may produce heat-labile toxin (LT) I and LTII and heat-stable toxin (ST) I and STII, while shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) strains, including enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), may produce shiga-like toxin (SLT) I and/or SLTII. Both ETEC and STEC are pathogenic to humans, pigs and cattle. As contamination of environmental water by any of these pathogenic E. coli cells is possible, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system for the rapid screening of LTI, STII, and SLTI and SLTII genes of E. coli was developed. The PCR primers used were the SLTI and SLTII genes specific primers developed by the present authors and the LTI and STII genes specific primers reported by other laboratories. The detection specificity of this multiplex PCR system was confirmed by PCR assay of ETEC, STEC and other E. coli cells as well as non- E. coli bacteria. Its detection limit was 10²–10³ cfu each of the target cells per assay. When this multiplex PCR system was used for the rapid screening of LTI, STII ETEC and STEC in water samples such as tap, underground and lake waters, it was found that after the enrichment step, as few as 10⁰ cells 100 ml⁻¹ of the water sample could be detected. Therefore, this PCR system could be used for the rapid monitoring of ETEC and/or STEC cells contaminating water samples.     

产肠毒素大肠杆菌快速检测方法的建立和评价

目的利用环介导等温扩增(LAMP)技术,建立产肠毒素大肠杆菌(ETEC)的快速、便捷、敏感、特异的检测方法,并对该方法的特异性和敏感性进行评价,为实验动物检测和细菌性腹泻的诊断提供技术支持。方法根据GenBank公布的产肠毒素大肠杆菌的LT毒素基因序列(S60731.1)设计外引物和内引物进行LAMP扩增,对LAMP特异性和敏感性与PCR方法做比较。结果建立的LAMP方法检测最低浓度为100 pg/μL,灵敏度是PCR的10倍以上并具有较高的特异性,利用该方法对27份猴腹泻样品进行LAMP和PCR方法检测,发现PCR检出率为33.3%,LAMP(60 min内)结果与PCR相同,而LAMP(90 min内)检出率为92.6%,约是PCR检出率的3倍。结论建立了一种用于检测肠毒性大肠杆菌(ETEC)的LAMP检测方法,该方法特异性强,灵敏度高,方便快捷,适合于ETEC临床快速检测。     

改良环介导等温扩增技术快速检测婴儿配方奶粉中的阪崎肠杆菌

[目的]采用改良环介导等温扩增(LAMP)技术,快速检测婴儿配方奶粉中的阪崎肠杆菌.[方法]以阪崎肠杆菌(ATCC29544)的16S-23S rRNA间区序列作为靶序列,设计内、外引物和环引物,通过肉眼观察白色沉淀,判断检测结果.[结果]LAMP检测阪崎肠杆菌的灵敏度为0.101 CFU/mL,人工污染阪崎肠杆菌的婴儿配方奶粉的检出限为1.1 CFU/g.采用试剂盒提取DNA,从样品处理到报告结果,耗时1 h.而对照,PCR检测阪崎肠杆菌的灵敏度为101 CFU/mL,人工污染阪崎肠杆菌的婴儿配方奶粉的检出限为1100 CFU/g.采用同样方法提取DNA,从样品处理到报告结果,耗时3 h.[结论]因此,LAMP检测婴儿配方奶粉中的阪崎肠杆菌灵敏度高,耗时短,方法简便.     

Development of A Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for the Detection of F5 Fimbriae Gene in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)

The objective of this study was to establish a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the detection of F5 fimbriae gene in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. A set of four primers were designed based on the conservative sequence of coding F5 fimbriae. Temperature and time condition, specificity test, and sensitivity test were performed with the DNA of Escherichia coli (F5+). The results showed that the optimal reaction condition for LAMP was achieved at 61 °C for 45 min in a water bath. Ladder-like products were produced with those F5-positive samples by LAMP, while no product was generated with other negative samples. The assay of LAMP had a detection limit equivalent to 72 cfu/tube, which was more sensitive than PCR (7.2 × 10² cfu/tube). The agreement rate between LAMP and PCR was 100 % in detecting simulation samples. Thus, the LAMP assay may be a new method for rapid detection of F5 fimbriae gene of ETEC.     

Toxoplasma gondii: Sensitive and rapid detection of infection by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method amplifies DNA with high specificity, sensitivity and rapidity. In this study, we used a conserved sequence in the 200- to 300-fold repetitive 529 bp gene of Toxoplasma gondii to design primers for LAMP test. Detection limit of T. gondii LAMP assay with the primers is 1 pg/μL of T. gondii DNA, which was evaluated using 10-fold serially diluted DNA of cultured parasites. Furthermore, LAMP and conventional PCR methods were applied for amplification of the T. gondii DNA extracted from the lymph nodes taken from pigs which were suspected to be Toxoplasma infection. As a result, 76.9% (70/91) and 85.7% (78/91) of the samples were positive on PCR and LAMP analyzes, respectively. Therefore, the LAMP has a potential to be applied as an alternative molecular diagnostic tool for detection of T. gondii infection from veterinary samples. This is the first study, which applies the LAMP method to diagnose Toxoplasma from veterinary samples.     

环介导等温扩增快速检测B群链球菌的临床应用

目的建立采用环介导等温扩增（LAMP）技术从临床标本中快速检测B群链球菌的方法。方法根据美国国家生物信息中心上提交的B群链球菌的cfb基因序列（登陆号X72754）设计特异LAMP引物,以热裂解法提取标本中细菌的DNA,然后以LAMP技术扩增cfb基因来鉴定其是否为B群链球菌。在采用LAMP技术检测B群链球菌的同时,以选择性培养法和PCR技术平行检测相同标本,并将3种方法的检测结果比较。结果在176例阴道拭子和176例直肠拭子中,选择性培养法检测到的B群链球菌例数为49和61、LAMP法检测到的B群链球菌例数为49和59,PCR法检测到的B群链球菌例数为48和58。以选择性培养法为金标准,LAMP法检测B群链球菌的灵敏度和特异度分别为96．7％和100％,PCR法检测B群链球菌的灵敏度和特异度分别为95．1％和100％。LAMP法检测B群链球菌的时间为2h左右,模拟菌株的检测结果显示该方法的最低检测限为10^2CFU／mL。结论该方法灵敏度高,特异性强,操作方便简单,适合从临床标本中快速检测B群链球菌。     

Development and evaluation of a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid detection of chicken anaemia virus

Aim: Chicken anaemia virus (CAV) causes an economically important viral disease in chickens worldwide. The main aim of this study was to establish a rapid, sensitive and specific loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detecting CAV infection. Methods and Results: A set of four specific LAMP primers were designed based on the nucleotide sequence of the CAV VP2 gene, which encodes a nonstructural protein. These were used for the amplification of a specific target region of the VP2 gene. LAMP amplicons were successfully amplified and detected by DNA electrophoresis and by direct naked eye SYBR Green I visualization. A sensitivity test systematically demonstrated that the LAMP assay was superior to a conventional PCR assay with a minimum concentration limit of 100 fg compared to 10 ng for the conventional PCR. The specificity of the LAMP assay for CAV detection is consistent with conventional PCR. Using this established LAMP assay, infected and uninfected clinical samples obtained from an experimental farm were fully verified. Conclusions: A novel nucleic acid‐based approach of LAMP assay was successfully developed for detecting CAV infection. Significance and Impact of the Study: In this study, these results indicate that the developed LAMP assay herein for CAV detection is a time‐effective, simple, sensitive and specific test that can be used as an alternative approach in the future for large‐scaled diagnosis on the farm of CAV infection.     

Molecular diagnostic methods for detection of Thelohania contejeani (Microsporidia), the causative agent of porcelain disease in crayfish

Diagnosis of Thelohania contejeani in the crayfish Astacus astacus is currently based on observation of gross clinical signs--opaque appearance of the abdomen and whitish colouration of the musculature--and confirmed by microscopic examination of histological sections of muscle. We have developed 2 molecular diagnostic methods for sensitive and rapid detection of porcelain disease in its early stages: PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The PCR test utilises a primer based on the T. contejeani small subunit ssu ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene and amplified parasite DNA with high specificity and a detection limit of 10(-5) dilution. The LAMP assay involves incubation of the target DNA with a set of 6 primers and Bst DNA polymerase for 60 min at 65 degrees C in a water bath or heating block, followed by visualisation of the reaction products with the SYBR Green I stain; sensitivity of visual detection with SYBR Green I is equivalent to that with agarose gel electrophoresis. The LAMP assay can detect T. contejeani DNA to a dilution of 10(-7). The LAMP assay is 100 times more sensitive than the PCR test and is the method we recommend as an alternative to traditional means of diagnosing T. contejeani.     

用环介导等温扩增技术快速检测粪便样本中的沙门菌

目的:建立快速检测粪便样本中的沙门菌的环介导等温扩增技术(LAMP),并着重在灵敏度和特异性方面对此方法进行评价。方法:利用LAMP针对沙门菌特定基因invA(靶基因)设计的6条特异引物,通过引物特异性识别特定基因invA上的8个独立区域来快速检测沙门菌;LAMP反应过程中会产生白色沉淀焦磷酸镁,故可以通过监测浊度来判定反应结果。结果:实时浊度仪监测反应结果表明,LAMP反应在60~65℃等温条件下50 min内完成;如果在反应前添加羟基萘酚兰,蓝色阳性结果很明显区别于紫色阴性结果;LAMP的最低检出限为6.97 pg/μL,PCR为69.7pg/μL,LAMP方法的检测灵敏度是PCR的10倍,且具有良好的特异性。结论:LAMP方法用于快速检测沙门菌,具有检测过程简单、实验装置简便、反应结果肉眼可辨、灵敏度高、特异性强的特点,对非沙门菌菌株的结果呈阴性,表明引物设计有很好的特异性。对粪便样本进行检测,发现具有同样的敏感性和特异性。这表明LAMP法是潜在的和有价值的在粪便样本中直接检测沙门菌的方法,具有快速、简便、低成本的特点。LAMP法适用于快速临床诊断。     

Real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid and sensitive detection of anthrax spores in spiked soil and talcum powder

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay is a powerful and innovative gene amplification technique that specifically amplifies the target gene under isothermal conditions with a high degree of sensitivity, rapidity and specificity. The major advantage of the LAMP assay is monitoring of amplified products without the requirement of any sophisticated equipment. In the present study a real time LAMP assay was employed for rapid and real time detection of Bacillus anthracis spores spiked in 0.1 g of soil and talcum powder ranging from 2 to 10⁷ spores. DNA was isolated from spiked soil and talcum powder using PBS containing 1% Triton X-100, and heat treatment. Isolated DNA was used as template for LAMP and PCR. LAMP amplification was obtained in 60 min under isothermal condition at 63°C by employing a set of six primers targeting the pag gene of B. anthracis. The detection limit of LAMP assay in soil and talcum powder was found to be as low as 5 spores, compared to 10³ spores and 10⁴ spores by PCR in talcum powder and soil, respectively. The findings suggest that LAMP is a more rapid and sensitive assay than PCR for detecting anthrax spores, additionally the methodology to prepare DNA from spiked samples is simple, rapid and cost effective.     

Simple and rapid detection of Salmonella serovar Enteritidis under field conditions by loop‐mediated isothermal amplification

Aim: The objective of this study is to develop a serovar‐specific loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for sensitive, rapid, and inexpensive detection of Salmonella serovar Enteritidis under field conditions. Methods: A set of six specific primers was designed with Salmonella Enteritidis DNA as the target. LAMP conditions were optimized by incubating the target DNA with the Bst DNA polymerase large fragment in a simple water bath. The sensitivity and specificity of LAMP was then compared with those of fluorescent quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (FQ‐PCR). Results: The results were as follows. (1) Serovar‐specific Salmonella Enteritidis DNA was amplified at 65°C in as early as 20 min in a water bath. (2) A colour change visible to the naked eye indicated a positive amplification reaction. (3) The detection limit of the LAMP assay was 4 copies μl^?1; thus, the sensitivity and specificity of this assay is similar to those of the FQ‐PCR. Conclusions: LAMP is a high‐throughput detection technique with high sensitivity, specificity, and simplicity; these factors make it suitable for specifically detecting Salmonella Enteritidis under field conditions and in laboratory settings. Thus, LAMP eliminates the need for complicated equipment and technical training in the detection of this specific serovar. Significance and impact of the study: This is the first study involving the use of LAMP to detect Salmonella serovar‐specific DNA sequences. It is also the first to report an ideal method of distinguishing between Salmonella Enteritidis and other Salmonella under field conditions.     

Sensitive and rapid detection of Karenia mikimotoi (Dinophyceae) by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed to detect the genomic DNA of Karenia mikimotoi using a set of four specific primers based on a ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The sensitivity of this LAMP assay was 100-fold higher than regular PCR, and its specificity was validated using other algae as a comparison. Two visual detection approaches were feasible to interpret the positive or negative results. This technology may have the potential to aid in forecasting red-tides on the scene because of its high sensitivity, specificity and rapid detection.     

环介导等温扩增联合横向流动试纸条可视化检测志贺氏菌

【目的】将环介导等温扩增技术(LAMP)与横向流动试纸条(LFD)联合应用,建立一种可应用于志贺氏菌快速检测的LAMP-LFD技术。【方法】以福氏志贺氏菌的侵袭性质粒抗原H(ipa H)基因为检测靶标设计3对特异性引物(其中上游内引物Sfl-ipa H-FIP由生物素标记),进行LAMP反应;同时设计1条异硫氰酸荧光素(FITC)标记的探针Sfl-ipa H-HP,与获得的LAMP产物进行特异性杂交,杂交产物经LFD完成检测。【结果】优化后的LAMP反应条件为63°C 40 min,加上LFD结果判读共需50 min。LAMP-LFD方法能够特异性检测出福氏志贺氏菌,而对肠炎沙门氏菌等其它4种导致腹泻的致病菌和创伤弧菌等5种常见食物源性致病菌,以及4株不同大肠杆菌的检测结果呈阴性。该方法针对福氏志贺氏菌的检测灵敏度为1.0×10~2 CFU/m L或4 CFU/反应,针对人工污染鲤鱼肠组织的检测灵敏度是5.0×10~2 CFU/m L,是以LAMP外引物Sfl-ipa H-F3/Sfl-ipa H-B3的常规PCR方法的100倍。【结论】建立的LAMP-LFD技术具有操作简单、检测快速准确、检测成本低等优点,有望在志贺氏菌的常规监测和即时检测中被普及使用。     

DNA环介导恒温扩增技术快速检测霍乱弧菌

霍乱弧菌是一种重要的食源性致病菌,主要引起急性肠道传染病,其快速检测具有重要意义。根据霍乱弧菌的mdh管家基因序列,设计2对特异性检测引物,利用DNA环介导恒温扩增技术(Loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP),经反应体系优化,成功建立了霍乱弧菌的LAMP快速检测方法。该方法最佳反应温度为65℃,60min完成检测,对培养菌的检测限为25CFU/mL,污染食品中霍乱弧菌的检测限为32CFU/g。对33株同种或近源细菌进行LAMP检测,仅霍乱弧菌得到阳性扩增。LAMP方法实践应用结果表明,对1057份虾、蟹、牡蛎、肉类、人腹泻物等样本进行检测,共检出85份阳性,与国际标准(ISO TS21872-1-2007)检测结果的符合率为100%。结果表明,本研究建立的霍乱弧菌LAMP检测方法特异性强、灵敏度高、操作简便,有利于霍乱弧菌疫情的监测。     

Sensitive and rapid detection of Karenia mikimotoi (Dinophyceae) by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed to detect the genomic DNA of Karenia mikimotoi using a set of four specific primers based on a ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The sensitivity of this LAMP assay was 100-fold higher than regular PCR, and its specificity was validated using other algae as a comparison. Two visual detection approaches were feasible to interpret the positive or negative results. This technology may have the potential to aid in forecasting red-tides on the scene because of its high sensitivity, specificity and rapid detection.     

副溶血弧菌LAMP检测方法的建立

副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)是一种能引起食源性疾病的重要病原菌。首次将一种新颖的核酸扩增技术-环介导等温扩增技术（Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification, LAMP）应用于副溶血弧菌的快速检测。针对副溶血弧菌不耐热溶血毒素基因（tlh）设计四条特异性引物（两条内引物和两条外引物）进行LAMP扩增,对扩增反应进行优化,最佳反应时间为60 min,反应温度为60 ℃。对12种细菌共28株菌进行LAMP扩增,仅14株副溶血弧菌得到阳性扩增结果,证明引物具有很高的特异性。副溶血弧菌基因组DNA和纯培养物的检测灵敏度分别约为90 fg和24 cfu/mL。对模拟食品样品进行直接检测,检测限为89 cfu/g。结果表明,该方法检测副溶血弧菌特异性强、灵敏度高,并且操作简便、检测成本低,1 h即可完成,有望发展成为快速检测副溶血弧菌的有效手段。     

NLF2 gene expression in the endometrium of patients with implantation failure after IVF treatment

We developed and evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for rapid detection of the multidrug-resistance gene cfr. A pair of outer primers and a pair of inner primers and one loop primer were specially designed for recognizing seven distinct sequences on the target cfr gene. The amplification reaction was performed within only 35 min under isothermal conditions at 63 °C in a regular water bath with visual measurement. The LAMP assay showed higher sensitivity than the conventional PCR, with a detection limit of 1 pg per tube of chicken Staphylococcus sciuri genomic DNA. The detection rate of cfr gene for 50 Staphylococcus clinical strains by LAMP assays was 16% and appeared 100% consistence with the result by PCR method. The LAMP method reported here demonstrated a potential and valuable means for detection of the multidrug-resistance gene cfr: easy, rapid, visual, specific, accurate and sensitive, especially useful for on-the-spot investigation.     

Development and application of a simple loop-mediated isothermal amplification method on rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes strains

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for rapid detection of the food-borne L. monocytogenes strains had been developed and evaluated in this study. The optimal reaction condition was 65°C for 45 min, with the detection limit as 1 pg DNA/tube and 100 CFU/reaction. Application of the established LAMP assay was performed on 182 food-borne L. monocytogenes strains using a rapid procedure and easy result confirmation, with the sensitivity of LAMP versus PCR assays as 96.7% (176/182) and 91.2% (166/182), respectively; with 100% specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for both assays.     

Detection and identification of E. coli producing heat-labile enterotoxin type I by enzymatic amplification of a specific DNA fragment

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify strains of Escherichia coli which produce heat-labile toxin type I (LTI). Amplification primers were designed to detect E. coli strains of human as well as porcine origin. This assay was used to test the ATCC 37218 strain, which carries a recombinant plasmid with the genetic information for production of porcine LTI (pLTI). In addition, three clinical E. coli isolates of human and one of porcine origin were tested. All clinical isolates were reported to produce heat-labile enterotoxin (hLTI and pLTI, respectively) when tested by the Y1 adrenal cell method and/or by the CHO cell method. All strains yielded the expected 275 bp DNA fragment after enzymatic amplification. This fragment was further identified by allele specific oligonucleotide hybridization. Alternatively, the fragment was identified by a SmaI restriction enzyme site which is present in the genes of both the E. coli isolated from humans and pigs. The detection limit determined in water with the ATCC 37218 strain was 20 bacteria. The amplified sequence included a CfoI polymorphism which allowed to distinguish between the genes coding for pLTI and hLTI. All of the strains tested showed this polymorphism as expected. Depending on the identification method chosen, SmaI digestion or oligonucleotide hybridization, pure water can be analysed within 8 h or 12 h, respectively. This method may be adapted to environmental and food samples.     

Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Listeria ivanovii by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification of the smcL Gene

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid and sensitive detection of the L. ivanovii strains had been developed and evaluated in this study. Oligonucleotide primers specific for L. ivanovii species were designed corresponding to smcL gene sequences. The primers set comprise six primers targeting eight regions on the species-specific gene smcL. The LAMP assay could be completed within 1 h at 64°C in a water bath. Amplification products were directly observed by the Loopamp Fluorescent Detection Reagent (FD) or detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Moreover, the LAMP reactions were also detected by real-time measurement of turbidity. The exclusivity of 77 non-L. ivanovii and the inclusivity of 17 L. ivanovii were both 100% in the assay. Sensitivity of the LAMP assay was 250 fg DNA and 16 CFU per reaction for detection of L. ivanovii in pure cultures and simulated human stool. The LAMP assay was 10 and 100-fold more sensitive than quantitative PCR (qPCR) and conventional PCR assays,respectively. When applied to human stool samples spiked with low level (8 CFU/0.5 g) of L. ivanovii strains, the new LAMP assay described here achieved positive detection after 6 hours enrichment. In conclusion, the new LAMP assay in this study can be used as a valuable, rapid and sensitive detection tool for the detection of L. ivanovii in field, medical and veterinary laboratories.