Innovative Colorimetric Neutral Red-Based Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (NR-LAMP) Assay: Transforming Rapid and Affordable Feline Leukemia Virus Detection

  • Witsanu Rapichai
  • , Piyamat Khamsingnok
  • , Anyalak Wachirachaikarn
  • , Thawee Laodim
  • , Hieu Van Dong
  • , Nianrawan Meecharoen
  • , Siriluk Ratanabunyong
  • , Thanawat Khaoiam
  • , Supansa Tuanthap
  • , Amonpun Rattanasrisomporn
  • , Selapoom Pairor
  • , Kiattawee Choowongkomon
  • , Natthasit Tansakul
  • , Peter A. Lieberzeit
  • , Jatuporn Rattanasrisomporn (Corresponding author)

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that globally affects both domestic and wild cats, leading to the development of leukemia, lymphoma, and immunosuppression. However, it is important to note that the daily antigen test may yield false negative results. In this study, we successfully developed the first colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) associated with neutral red (NR-LAMP) for the detection of FeLV. The NR-LAMP assay exhibited high sensitivity and efficiency compared to the routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reference method. To ensure specificity, a novel LAMP primer set was custom-designed based on the pol gene of multiple FeLV strains, which resulted in no cross-amplification with other feline viruses. Under the optimized isothermal amplification conditions at 61 °C for 40 min, the NR-LAMP assay achieved a detection limit of 100 copies/µL. Using a blind clinical test involving 98 samples, the NR-LAMP assay demonstrated perfect agreement with the reference PCR method, providing a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 100%. This proposed NR-LAMP assay surpasses other related approaches in terms of sensitivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Consequently, the colorimetric NR-LAMP reaction serves as a robust and convenient diagnostic tool for the inspection of FeLV, offering an alternative molecular method for future clinical applications and commercial utilization.

Original languageEnglish
Article number11793
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume26
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2025

Funding

FundersFunder number
Kasetsart UniversityFF(KU-SRIU)7.68, RUP69_Act2_No.17 (PD)

    Austrian Fields of Science 2012

    • 303034 Virology
    • 106023 Molecular biology
    • 104017 Physical chemistry

    Keywords

    • colorimetric LAMP
    • cost-effective clinical application
    • feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
    • neutral red
    • pol gene

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