Wolbachia detection in insects through LAMP: Loop mediated isothermal amplification

Background: the bacterium wolbachia is a promising agent for the biological control of vector-borne diseases as some strains have the ability to block the transmission of key human disease-causing pathogens. fast,accurate and inexpensive methods of differentiating between infected and uninfected insects will be of critical importance as field-based trials of wolbachia-based bio-control become increasingly common. findings. we have developed a specific and sensitive method of detecting wolbachia based on the isothermal dna amplification. this technique can be performed in an ordinary heat block without the need for gel-based visualisation,and is effective for a wide variety of insect hosts. conclusion: here we present the development of a rapid,highly sensitive and inexpensive method to detect wolbachia in a variety of insect hosts,including key mosquito disease vectors. © 2014 gonçalves et al.; licensee biomed central ltd.