Application of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the detection of duck enteritis virus

Duck plague (DP) caused by duck enteritis virus (DEV) is an acute infection of waterfowl. Apart from geese and ducks free-ranging swans are susceptible to infection. The exact epidemiological situation in relation to DEV infection in Eastern Europe is unknown. Therefore it was reasonable to conduct a study on DEV occurrence using the modern but simple loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The use of LAMP facilitated DEV DNA detection in a time below 30 min. The method was also specific solely for DEV, while its detection limit was 1 pg of DNA. The aim of this study was the optimization of LAMP for detection of DEV infections among free-ranging water birds. The presence of DEV DNA was identified in 96 birds (72.7%), predominantly in wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and mute swans (Cygnus olor). The results were recorded in visible light as a green color of reaction mixtures and their fluorescence under ultraviolet light. The presented study indicates the usefulness of the developed LAMP technique for DEV detection and the high percentage of free-ranging water birds infected with this virus. The study will be continued in the future for the determination of DEV occurrence in domestic geese and ducks.