Wolbachia detection in insects through LAMP: loop mediated isothermal amplification

Parasit Vectors. 2014 May 19:7:228. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-228.

Abstract

Background: The bacterium Wolbachia is a promising agent for the biological control of vector-borne diseases as some strains have the ability to block the transmission of key human disease-causing pathogens. Fast, accurate and inexpensive methods of differentiating between infected and uninfected insects will be of critical importance as field-based trials of Wolbachia-based bio-control become increasingly common.

Findings: We have developed a specific and sensitive method of detecting Wolbachia based on the isothermal DNA amplification. This technique can be performed in an ordinary heat block without the need for gel-based visualisation, and is effective for a wide variety of insect hosts.

Conclusion: Here we present the development of a rapid, highly sensitive and inexpensive method to detect Wolbachia in a variety of insect hosts, including key mosquito disease vectors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Control Agents
  • Insecta / microbiology*
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / economics
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Wolbachia / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Biological Control Agents