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Chytridiomycosis

Chytridiomycosis. Michael McFadden Unit Supervisor Herpetofauna Division Taronga Zoo, Sydney. Materials produced by:. Chytridiomycosis. Caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Class Chytridiomycetes, Order Chytridiales) First report of chytrid in vertebrates

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Chytridiomycosis

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  1. Chytridiomycosis Michael McFadden Unit Supervisor Herpetofauna Division Taronga Zoo, Sydney Materials produced by:

  2. Chytridiomycosis • Caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis • (Class Chytridiomycetes, Order Chytridiales) • First report of chytrid in vertebrates • Abundant and diverse group of fungi. • Not described until 1998.

  3. Chytrid as a cause of mass declines and extinctions • It is suspected that chytrid fungus has been responsible for the extinction of a great number of species in recent decades. • It has been implicated in the extinction of 8 species in Australia and many, many more throughout Central America.

  4. How does it kills frogs? • Interruption of osmoregulation? • Release of toxins? • A combination of these factors?

  5. The Chytrid life cycle

  6. Clinical Signs • Behavioural Change • Neurological Signs • Skin Lesions • Death

  7. Infection with Chytrid • Frogs susceptible to Chytrid fungus often die within 18-48 days after exposure. • Tadpoles can carry the fungus in their kertanised mouthparts but will not die from it. • Not all species are affected, some can live with no effects. These can act as reservoir hosts.

  8. Ideal Chytrid Environment • Cooler temperatures –grows best between 17-25°C and dies at over 30°C. • Must remain moist – it is a waterborne fungus.

  9. Diagnosis of Chytrid Fungus • PCR- real time Taqman • Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) • Microscopy – Histology or examination of skin scrapings • Culture

  10. Treatment for Chytrid • Many treatments have been tested with limited success. • Itraconozole baths have had the best success to date. • Heat treatment can be effective depending on the tolerance of the species. • An antibiotic, chlorophenicol, is currently showing signs of success treating chytrid fungus and is undergoing further research.

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