Amphibians May Develop Resistance to Fungal Disease

Amphibians around the world are suffering dramatic population declines due to a combination of factors. Among the most significant of these factors is the fungal disease, chytridiomycosis. This leathal skin disease is caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. It was first identified in amphibian populations from Queensland Australia in 1993 and has since been detected throughout Africa, North and South America, Europe, New Zealand and Oceana.

Scientists have previously noted that some species are more vulnerable to chytridiomycosis than others. Now, research reveals the opposite trend as well—that some amphibians are able to develop an immunity to the disease. The new research was conducted by Jonathan Q. Richmond of the US Geological Survey and three coauthors. It is to be published in the journal BioScience in April.

The team studied two species of New Zealand frogs that were infected with chytridiomycosis. The frogs were treated with an antimicrobial drug, chloramphenicol, to combat the lethal fungal disease. The researchers then found that the frogs were resistant to subsequent reinfections of chytridiomycosis—they had acquired increased immunity to the disease.

Find out more: Amphibians May Develop Immunity to Fatal Fungus (Eurekalert)

Photo © HKPNC / iStockphoto.