Loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid and sensitive detection of sheep pox and goat pox viruses in clinical samples

• A LAMP assay for rapid detection of sheep pox and goat pox viruses is developed targeting DNA polymerase gene.
• The LAMP assay is highly specific and sensitive.
• Visual detection of LAMP reaction using SYBR green I and HNB dyes is employed.
• The assay has diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 96.6% and 100% respectively in comparison to quantitative PCR.
• The detection rate of LAMP, PCR and Q-PCR assays is found to be 81.5%, 67% and 83% respectively.

A Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the highly conserved DNA polymerase gene of capripox virus genome was developed and evaluated for rapid detection of sheep pox and goat pox viruses. The optimized LAMP assay is found specific and sensitive for amplification of target DNA with a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 96.6% and 100% respectively compared to quantitative PCR. The detection rate of LAMP, PCR and Q-PCR assays is found to be 81.5%, 67% and 83% respectively. This LAMP assay has the potential for rapid clinical diagnosis and surveillance of sheep pox and goat pox in field diagnostic laboratories.