Rapid detection of Banna virus by reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)

Objectives Banna virus (BAV) is classified in the genus Seadornavirus within the Reoviridae family and considered to be an emerging pathogen. We aimed to develop a rapid and simple molecular detection approach for all BAV subgroups in isothermal conditions. Method A set of six specific primers was designed to target the segment 12 of BAV, and the reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed and compared with conventional RT-PCR method. Results The amplification of the RT-LAMP assay can be obtained within 40min at 65°C. The results from specificity showed that only target BAVs RNA including genotypes A, B and C were amplified and the assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 3.6×10 −2 PFU/mL, which was higher than conventional RT-PCR measurement. A good reliability for the assay was presented in the further evaluation for BAVs RNA from serial diluted BAV-spiked serum and 47 pools of field mosquito samples. Conclusions Our findings present a rapid, sensitive and specific RT-LAMP assay that can be applied for BAV detection in clinical or field samples in the future.