Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for rapid identification of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes

The main malaria vectors of sub-Saharan Africa, Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and Anopheles arabiensis are morphologically indistinguishable, but often occur in sympatry and differ in feeding preference and vector competence. It is important to assess vector species identity for understanding the vectorial system and establishing appropriate vector control measures. The currently available species diagnosis methods for An. gambiae sensu latu require equipment to which public health practitioners in many African countries may not have access. This report describes a loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique (LAMP) for An. gambiae species diagnosis. The LAMP method was tested in single mosquito legs and whole body. The sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP method, in reference to the conventional rDNA-polymerse chain reaction (PCR) method, ranged from 0.93 to 1.00. The LAMP-based species identification method can be performed in a water bath and completed within 65 minutes, representing an alternative method for rapid and field applicable vector species diagnosis.