MS-222 (tricaine methane sulfonate) does not kill the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Webb, Rebecca;Berger, Lee;Mendez, Diana;Speare, Rick

Abstract

MS-222 (tricaine methane sulfonate) is an agent commonly used to anaesthetise or euthanize amphibians used in experiments. It is administered by immersing the animal to allow absorption through the skin. Chytridiomycosis is an important disease of amphibians and research involves experiments with live animals. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, the fungus which causes chytridiomycosis, is located in the skin and therefore the organism should come into contact with MS-222 when it is used. B. dendrobatidis is a sensitive organism which could possibly be killed by MS-222. Hence, results of chytridiomycosis studies in which MS-222 is used could be unreliable. A concentration of 2 g l–1 and an exposure duration of 1 h is at the high end of the range at which MS-222 would be most commonly used. Exposure to 2 g l–1 MS-222 for 1 h does not kill B. dendrobatidis cultures, suggesting that MS-222 is safe to use in chytridiomycosis studies.

Journal

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Publication Name

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

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ISBN/ISSN

1616-1580

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Publisher

Inter-Research

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Publisher Location

Oldendorf Luhe, Germany

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DOI

10.3354/dao068089