Rapid and simple detection of Ebola virus by reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Abstract Ebola virus (EBOV) causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates with high mortality rates. Rapid identification of the virus is required to prevent spread of the infection. In this study, we developed and evaluated a one-step simple reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV), the most virulent species of EBOV, targeting the trailer region of the viral genome. The assay could detect 20 copies of the artificial ZEBOV RNA in 26 min with a real time-monitoring detection, and also detect 10−3 FFU of the cell-culture propagated viruses. The reaction time needed to detect 104 FFU of ZEBOV was only 20 min. In addition, the assay was highly specific for ZEBOV. The RT-LAMP assay developed in this study is rapid, simple, highly specific, and sensitive for the detection of ZEBOV, and so may be an effective diagnostic tool. Furthermore, as this technique does not require sophisticated instrumentation, it seems very suitable for diagnosis in the field or laboratories in Ebola outbreak areas such as Central Africa.