Rapid, reliable, and cheap point-of-care bulk testing for SARS-CoV-2 by combining hybridization capture with improved colorimetric LAMP (Cap-iLAMP)

Abstract Here we present a step-by-step protocol for Cap-iLAMP (capture and improved ‎loop-mediated isothermal amplification) which combines a hybridization capture-based RNA extraction of gargle lavage samples with an improved colorimetric RT-LAMP assay and smartphone-based color scoring. Cap-iLAMP is compatible with point-of-care testing and enables the detection of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples in less than one hour. The sensitivity is 97% and the specificity is 99%. In contrast to direct addition of the sample to improved LAMP (iLAMP), Cap-iLAMP prevents false positives and allows single positive samples to be detected in pools of 25 negative samples.