Co-localisation of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and keratin for enhanced diagnosis of chytridiomycosis in frogs

Olsen, Veronica;Hyatt, Alex D.;Boyle, Donna G.;Mendez, Diana

Abstract

Chytridiomycosis is a disease of post-metamorphic frogs caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and is associated with large declines in frog populations on a global scale. B. dendrobatidis is found only in the keratinised tissues, which include the mouthparts of healthy tadpoles. The epidermis of infected post-metamorphic frogs is thickened (hyperkeratosis) and the superficial layer can sometimes slough. Diagnosis is most commonly performed on stained sections of toe clips or ventral skin. Accurate interpretation can be difficult and requires a high level of expertise, particularly in infected animals exhibiting hyperkeratosis with sloughing. Misdiagnosis can occur when zoosporangia of B. dendrobatidis are shed with the superficial keratin layers. We have developed a staining protocol based on previously described methods to detect both B. dendrobatidis and keratin, to improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of chytridiomycosis by inexperienced diagnosticians.

Journal

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Publication Name

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Volume

ISBN/ISSN

1616-1580

Edition

N/A

Issue

1-2

Pages Count

Location

N/A

Publisher

Inter-Research

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

Oldendorf Luhe, Germany

Publish Date

N/A

Url

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Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.3354/dao061085