Schistosome DNA Isolation and Colorimetric LAMP protocol for the
detection of Schistosomiasis

2022

English

Schistosomiasis keeps devastating the world despite many measures put in place by control programs.
Molecular diagnostics has played a significant role in the detection and monitoring of the treatment of the
disease. Loop-medicated isothermal amplification has been developed with increased sensitivity and specificity
to help the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. This protocol aids the successful isolation of schistosome DNA from
urine and stool using Quick-DNA Miniprep kits (ZymoResearch, USA) with slight modification. Progressively,
specific-specific Schisto-LAMP assay has been developed from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1)
gene of the schistosome mitochondrial genome. In addition, to effectively detect successful amplification, a
laboratory-based colorimetric buffer which is pH dependent, was used. The neutral red dye changes from pale
yellow to pink when positive and to a deep yellow color if negative. This protocol spells out the performance of
two LAMP assays to detect S. haematobium and S. mansoni in urine and stool, respectively.

Isaac Owusu-Frimpong , Linda B. Debrah , Samuel K. Armoo , Edward J. Tettevi , Yvonne A. Ashong , Naa A. Kuma , Frank Twum Aboagye , Bright K. Idun , Mike Y. Osei- Atweneboana