From Microscopy to LAMP:

Innovative Molecular Diagnostic Technology is paving the way for accurate, robust and easy-to-use detection of TB

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of Loopamp™, a novel molecular diagnostic system, in the fight against tuberculosis (TB). Loopamp™ offers rapid results, high sensitivity, and ease of implementation, even in remote areas, revolutionizing the diagnosis of TB. By upgrading to Loopamp™, one can contribute to the WHO's global strategy for TB elimination.

Be a part of the WHO's global strategy to eliminate TB. Replace smear microscopy with the novel Loopamp^TM molecular diagnostic system recently recommended by WHO. With its fast, robust and easy availability Loopamp^TM offers an attractive diagnostic prospect in the elimination of TB.

Still Unmet Diagnostic Needs

Nearly a century since Robert Koch's breakthrough discovery, tuberculosis (TB) continues to kill over 1.5 million people every year. TB is one of the world's biggest threats, ranking alongside with HIV, and a leading cause of death worldwide. Part of the problem is a persisting major gap in TB diagnostics. Matters are further complicated with an alarming rise in the number of multi-drug resistant TB cases and HIV + TB coinfection cases. Early and effective detection of M. tuberculosis, particularly in smear-negative TB, is needed for global TB control and elimination.

The Hurdle

To date the most common method for detecting TB is the sputum smear microscopy.
While microscopy requires minimal biosafety standards it has certain drawbacks that present a major hurdle to the early and accurate diagnosis of TB:

Low sensitivity, especially but not only in children and patients with HIV coinfection
Lack of trained personnel
Difficult to distinguish between Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and other non-tuberculosis mycobacterium

The Solution: Embrace New Molecular Diagnostic Technologies

Diagnostic tools using molecular technologies such as nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are the most advanced. Overcoming major restrictions of NAAT loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) used in the novel Loopamp^TM system is a rapid, robust and easy-to-perform NAAT with a unique capability to be applied at remote and/or point of care settings. Loopamp^TM is especially suited for peripheral-level laboratories.

Features that make Loopamp^TM the diagnostic platform of choice especially in remote settings:

Short turnaround (<1 hour)
Flexible throughput (16-96/tests/run)
High sensitivity and specificity
Basically maintenance-free consolidated platform
Robust to inhibitors and reaction conditions that usually adversely affect PCR methods

Conclusion

The "End TB strategy" targets are set for 2035. The goal is to reduce the absolute number of TB deaths by 95% and to reduce the TB incidence rate by 90%, compared to the baseline set for 2015. Diagnostic tools play a critical role to achieve these targets. Update your laboratory with Loopamp^TM and be a part of the global strategy to combat TB.