Loop-mediated isothermal amplification methodを用いた感染症の診断とその周辺技術

Abstract

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP）法は一定温度で行うことができる核酸増幅法で, 開発途上国への導入や, 日本も含めた先進国におけるPOCTとしての活用が期待されている。本邦では7種類のLAMP法を用いた感染症診断キットが体外診断用医薬品として承認を受けている。また, LAMP法は新興感染症などへの応用, 遺伝子変異の検出への応用などの報告もなされている。さらに, LAMP法による感染症診断を簡易迅速化させる周辺技術の開発もなされている。本総説では, LAMP法の原理, 特徴や最近の感染症診断への応用例, 周辺技術などの知見を解説する。

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a rapid nucleic acid amplification test requiring only isothermal conditions. This method could become a widely -used diagnostic technique in developing countries and is expected to be used as point of care testing in developed countries including Japan. Seven in-vitro reagents are currently available in Japan. LAMP is also applied to the diagnosis of emerging infectious diseases and the detection of pathogen genetic mutation. In addition, related technologies such as Procedure for Ultra Rapid Extraction (PURE) method and dried reagents that have been recently developed enable us to use LAMP more simply and rapidly in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. This report outlines the principle and characteristics of the LAMP procedure, recent applications, and related technologies.