A loop-mediated isothermal amplification coupling with a lateral flow dipstick for rapid and specific detection of fowl adenovirus serotype-4.

Fowl adenovirus serotype-4 (FAdV-4) has been recognized as a predominant threat to the broilers aged from three to five weeks. Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) is one of its major clinical diseases by FAdV-4 resulting in heavy economic losses. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification coupling with a lateral flow dipstick (LAMP-LFD) was developed for rapid and specific detection of fowl adenovirus serotype-4. The optimized LAMP-LFD can be completed in 60 min at 65 °C. The minimum detection limits of PCR, real-time PCR, nested PCR and LAMP-LFD are 1 × 104 copies/μl, 1 × 102 copies/μl, 10 copies/μl and 10 copies/μl respectively. Moreover, the specificity of the LAMP-LFD assay is satisfactory and does not produce cross reactions with other species. In field samples, 150 samples were assayed by PCR and LAMP-LFD. They agreed on the diagnosis "positive" in 13% of clinical samples, and they agreed on the diagnosis "negative" in 85% of clinical samples. Their probability of agreement is p0 = 147/150 = 13% + 85% = 98%. LAMP-LFD can potentially be modified and applied as a diagnostic tool for FAdV-4 infection especially in resource-limited areas, such as small breeding farms and basic veterinary labs to offer an affordable diagnostic.