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

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Veronica Olsen¹  Alex D. Hyatt¹  Diana Mendez¹  Donna G. Boyle¹ 

关键词: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis;    Chytridiomycosis;    Alkaline phosphatase;    Hollande¹s Trichrome;    Diagnostic assay;   

DOI  :  10.3354/dao061085

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Inter-Research

【 摘 要 】

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 thekeratinised 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 sectionsof 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. dendrobatidisare shed with the superficial keratin layers. We have developed a staining protocol based on previously described methods to detect bothB. dendrobatidis and keratin, to improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of chytridiomycosis byinexperienced diagnosticians.

【 授权许可】

Unknown