In the field with LAMP

Effective biosecurity is underpinned by rapid detection of pathogens within an evidence-based testing framework, and supported by a quality management system. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a molecular diagnostics platform that detects the genome of a pathogen. The LAMP enzyme is more resistant to inhibitors, so the pathogen nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) does not need to be purified, enabling detection directly from the sample. This makes LAMP different from other molecular tests, and gives it a robustness that allows LAMP to be used in resource-limited settings, be field-deployable and used as a point-of-care tool. Agriculture Victoria, with the support of colleagues from the Asia–Pacific region including Timor-Leste and Bhutan, have been developing and verifying LAMP assays for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV). These two pathogens affect food production systems and animals of cultural importance in the region and – if detected in Australia – within our borders. We are developing an advanced quality management system to support the adoption and implementation of this emerging technology. Specifically, our research is determining the best in-field sample type for FMDV and ASFV, accruing verification data obtained through ongoing quality control and virtual communication, and establishing a proficiency testing program to assess the reagents and operators. The establishment of a sample and data management framework will support confirmatory testing for these significant pathogens, as required.