Molecular diagnostics have evolved in recent years as an alternative to traditional diagnostic methods such as virus/bacteria culture, microscopy, histopathology-based techniques (ie immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation), biochemical, phenotypic or serological analysis. These molecular methods are based on the amplification of a region of the target nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) and are becoming increasingly popular with end-users.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is considered the molecular diagnostic gold standard; however, there are several disadvantages related to its implementation in laboratories with limited resources, such as the high cost associated with these methods, the need for highly skilled personnel, and the susceptibility to inhibitors commonly present in clinical samples. To counter these disadvantages, molecular methods based on isothermal amplification are becoming established in laboratories worldwide, as these provide similar performance with the additional benefits of reduced costs and minimal training.
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has the potential to substitute PCR-based methods. Mast Group is incorporating the LAMP technique (Eiken Chemical) in its molecular products (MAST ISOPLEX). Currently, there are two molecular kits already on the market, MAST ISOPLEX DNA Lyo and MAST ISOPLEX DNA Lyo Plus, with two others (MAST ISOPLEX VTEC and MAST ISOPLEX E. coli O157) available soon.