Ultra-Rapid DNA Extraction Coupled with Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Point-of-Care Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Heparinized Blood and Dried Blood Spots.

Early detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection is essential for timely treatment of acute Chagas disease, reducing severe complications and chronic disease progression. Traditional diagnostic methods have limitations, particularly in sensitivity and accessibility. Molecular techniques such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) offer high sensitivity and are well suited for resource-limited settings due to their simplicity. LAMP enables specific and efficient DNA amplification without requiring complex equipment, making it ideal for basic laboratories and field applications. This chapter presents standardized procedures for ultra-rapid DNA extraction combined with LAMP (Tc-LAMP), validated for the early diagnosis of congenital Chagas disease.