RT-LAMP: A Rapid, Low-Cost Virus Test Tailored for Africa’s Needs

In a major step toward equitable pandemic preparedness, researchers from Italy, India, South Africa, and Slovenia have developed a diagnostic tool called RT-LAMP (reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification) that delivers COVID-19 results in under an hour using saliva samples—without the need for RNA extraction or expensive lab equipment. Unlike PCR tests, which require thermocyclers and fluorescent probes, RT-LAMP operates at a constant temperature and produces color-coded results visible to the naked eye. This simplicity makes it ideal for low-resource settings, where access to advanced diagnostics is limited.

The test was evaluated across ten Sub-Saharan African countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Angola, with over 2,700 nasopharyngeal swabs and nearly 600 crude saliva samples analyzed. RT-LAMP demonstrated 89% sensitivity and 95% specificity in swab samples, and 80% sensitivity and 99% specificity in unprocessed saliva—metrics that rival PCR and far exceed rapid antigen tests, especially in asymptomatic cases. These results were published in The Lancet Global Health and hailed as a milestone in building sustainable diagnostic capacity across Africa.

Beyond COVID-19, RT-LAMP can detect other RNA viruses of public health concern, including Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. The platform’s versatility and affordability make it a powerful tool for ongoing surveillance and outbreak response. The initiative, led by Alessandro Marcello of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, also includes a broader strategy: engaging regulatory bodies, expanding genomic surveillance, exploring local reagent manufacturing, and sourcing robust low-cost technologies from India and China.

The project received support from the Gates Foundation and New England Biolabs, and is part of the EXPANDIA network—a collaborative effort to test and deploy cost-effective diagnostics in limited-resource settings. According to Marcello, the goal is not just to validate the test, but to build a resilient infrastructure that can respond to future pandemics with speed and autonomy.