Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection of Entamoeba histolytica in amoebic liver abscess.

Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is the most common extra intestinal manifestation of invasive amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica. The lack of early and accurate diagnostic test to differentiate various causes of liver abscess necessitates more reliable laboratory diagnostic test. The present study was conducted to assess the applicability of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of E. histolytica in ALA cases. Fifty patients (n = 50) with clinical suspicion of ALA were enrolled in the study. All the clinical samples were subjected to conventional PCR assay. LAMP assay was standardized and the results were compared with that of PCR assay. Out of fifty pus samples thirty-six (72 %, 36/50) were positive for E. histolytica with conventional PCR assay and forty-one (82 %, 41/50) were positive by LAMP assay. Thus, five additional positive cases, missed by conventional PCR were positive with LAMP assay. Apart from rapidity, operational simplicity of LAMP assay high specificity and sensitivity, one-step amplification, higher yield and immediate visual detection may serve as a better diagnostic tool for diagnosis of ALA.