Chytrid Fungus in Europe

Trenton W.J Garner,Alex D Hyatt,Susan Walker,Andrew A Cunningham,Jaime Bosch,Matthew C Fisher

doi:10.3201/eid1110.050109

Abstract

Chytrid Fungus in Europe

Highlights

In Europe, little is known about B. dendrobatidis distribution, which is disturbing when one considers that at least 3 European amphibian species are undergoing chytrid-associated die-offs that will likely lead to local extinction [4,5]
We screened all samples for chytrid fungus with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the ITS-1/5.8S ribosomal DNA region of B. dendrobatidis [6], including appropriate positive and negative controls
To confirm that detection with real-time PCR indicated a viable chytrid infection, when actual tissue samples were available, we examined a generous subset using histologic features for typical signals of pathogenic B. dendrobatidis infection

Summary

Introduction

This pathogen of amphibians has recently emerged globally [2,3] and has caused mass die-offs and extensive species declines on 4 continents [1,3]; knowledge of its distribution and effects on amphibian populations remains poor. In Europe, little is known about B. dendrobatidis distribution, which is disturbing when one considers that at least 3 European amphibian species are undergoing chytrid-associated die-offs that will likely lead to local extinction [4,5] We screened all samples for chytrid fungus with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the ITS-1/5.8S ribosomal DNA region of B. dendrobatidis [6], including appropriate positive and negative controls.

Results

Conclusion