Rapid In-Field Detection of Airborne Pathogens Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)

Journal article


Bani, A., Whitby, C., Colbeck, I., Dumbrell, A. J. and Ferguson, R. M. W. 2024. Rapid In-Field Detection of Airborne Pathogens Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). Microorganisms. 12 (12), pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122578
AuthorsBani, A., Whitby, C., Colbeck, I., Dumbrell, A. J. and Ferguson, R. M. W.
Abstract

Multiple human and plant pathogens are dispersed and transmitted as bioaerosols (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2, Legionella pneumophila, Aspergillus fumigatus, Phytophthora spp., and Fusarium graminearum). Rapid, on-site methods to detect airborne pathogens would greatly enhance our ability to monitor exposure and trigger early mitigation measures across different settings. Analysis of air samples for microorganisms in a regulatory context is often based on culture-based methods, which are slow, lack specificity, and are not suitable for detecting viruses. Molecular methods (based on nucleic acids) could overcome these challenges. For example, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is rapid, sensitive, specific, and may detect microbial pathogens from air samples in under 60 min. However, the low biomass in air samples makes recovering sufficient nucleic acids for detection challenging. To overcome this, we present a simple method for concentrating bioaerosols collected through liquid impingement (one of the most common methods for bioaerosol collection). This method paired with LAMP (or other molecular approaches) offers simple, rapid, and sensitive detection of pathogens. We validated this method using three airborne pathogens (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Legionella pneumophila, and Aspergillus fumigatus), and we were able to detect fewer than five cells in a 15 mL liquid impinger air sample in under 60 min. This simple method offers rapid pathogen detection without the use of specialist equipment, and it can be used across healthcare, education, environmental monitoring, and military settings.

Keywordsbioaerosol; airborne pathogen; rapid detection; loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP); biological aerosols
Year2024
JournalMicroorganisms
Journal citation12 (12), pp. 1-21
PublisherMDPI
ISSN2076-2607
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122578
Web address (URL)https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2578
FunderNatural Environment Research Council
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online13 Dec 2024
Publication process dates
Deposited18 Dec 2024
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Accepted author manuscript
microorganisms-12-02578.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Open

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