scholarly journals Isolation and maintenance of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans cultures

2020 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Robinson ◽  
KE Pereira ◽  
MC Bletz ◽  
ED Carter ◽  
MJ Gray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Infected Tissue ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Chytrid Fungus ◽  
Common Culture ◽  
Growth Standard ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans ◽  
Amphibian Pathogen

Discovered in 2013, the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is an emerging amphibian pathogen that causes ulcerative skin lesions and multifocal erosion. A closely related pathogen, B. dendrobatidis (Bd), has devastated amphibian populations worldwide, suggesting that Bsal poses a significant threat to global salamander biodiversity. To expedite research into this emerging threat, we seek to standardize protocols across the field so that results of laboratory studies are reproducible and comparable. We have collated data and experience from multiple labs to standardize culturing practices of Bsal. Here we outline common culture practices including a medium for standardized Bsal growth, standard culturing protocols, and a method for isolating Bsal from infected tissue.

scholarly journals Isolation and maintenance of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans cultures

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristyn A. Robinson ◽  
Kenzie E. Pereira ◽  
Molly C. Bletz ◽  
Edward Davis Carter ◽  
Matthew J. Gray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Infected Tissue ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Common Culture ◽  
Growth Standard ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans ◽  
Standard Culture ◽  
Amphibian Pathogen

AbstractDiscovered in 2013, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is an emerging amphibian pathogen that causes ulcerative skin lesions and multifocal erosion. A closely related pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has devastated amphibian populations worldwide, suggesting that Bsal poses a significant threat to global salamander biodiversity. To expedite research into this emerging threat, we seek to standardize protocols across the field so that results of laboratory studies are reproducible and comparable. We have collated data and experience from multiple labs to standardize culturing practices of Bsal. Here we outline common culture practices including a media for optimal Bsal growth, standard culture protocols, and a method for isolating Bsal from infected tissue.

scholarly journals Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans is the predominant chytrid fungus in Vietnamese salamanders

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra E. Laking ◽  
Hai Ngoc Ngo ◽  
Frank Pasmans ◽  
An Martel ◽  
Tao Thien Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Chytrid Fungus ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans

scholarly journals Mitigating Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valarie Thomas ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Pascale Van Rooij ◽  
Elin Verbrugghe ◽  
Vojtech Baláž ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Situ Conservation ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Chytrid Fungus ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans ◽  
Mitigation Methods

Abstract The infectious chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) has been responsible for severe population declines of salamander populations in Europe. Serious population declines and loss of urodelan diversity may occur if appropriate action is not taken to mitigate against the further spread and impact of Bsal. We provide an overview of several potential mitigation methods, and describe their possible advantages and limitations. We conclude that long-term, context-dependent, multi-faceted approaches are needed to successfully mitigate adverse effects of Bsal, and that these approaches should be initiated pre-arrival of the pathogen. The establishment of ex situ assurance colonies, or management units, for species threatened with extinction, should be considered as soon as possible. While ex situ conservation and preventive measures aimed at improving biosecurity by limiting amphibian trade may be implemented quickly, major challenges that lie ahead are in designing in situ disease containment and mitigation post-arrival and in increasing public awareness.

Impact of two microsporidia, Nosema pyrausta and Vairimorpha necatrix, in Nosema pyrausta infected European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) larvae

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 915-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Lewis ◽  
J. E. Cossentine ◽  
R. D. Gunnarson
Keyword(s):  
Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽  
European Corn Borer ◽  
Infected Tissue ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Laboratory Conditions

Larvae of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), infected with the microsporidium Nosema pyrausta (Paillot) or free of N. pyrausta infection, were fed either additional N. pyrausta, or Vairimorpha necatrix (Kramer), or a combination of N. pyrausta plus V. necatrix spores. Nosema pyrausta and (or) V. necatrix spores increased the number of tissues infected and the intensity of infection. In laboratory studies, V. necatrix, alone or in combination with N. pyrausta, killed more larvae than did N. pyrausta alone. Significantly fewer insects pupated and emerged in the V. necatrix plus N. pyrausta treatment than in the V. necatrix or N. pyrausta treatments alone. There was a correspondingly greater percentage of dead pupae in the V. necatrix plus N. pyrausta treatment. Nosema pyrausta was more detrimental under field conditions than under laboratory conditions. Of larvae surviving the winter, those that had been fed V. necatrix had significantly fewer spores per milligram of infected tissue than did larvae that had been fed N. pyrausta. These data suggest that the larvae with a higher intensity of V. necatrix spores did not survive the winter.

scholarly journals Efficacy of chemical disinfectants for the containment of the salamander chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. e0186269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Van Rooij ◽  
Frank Pasmans ◽  
Yanaika Coen ◽  
An Martel
Keyword(s):  
Chytrid Fungus ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans

scholarly journals The great impostor: Lues maligna in an HIV-infected male

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 2050313X1773105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo J Mena Lora ◽  
Marylee Braniecki ◽  
Ayman Nasir ◽  
Maximo Brito
Keyword(s):  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Infected Male ◽  
Cd4 Lymphocyte Count ◽  
Cd4 Lymphocyte ◽  
Modern Era

Lues maligna is a rare severe cutaneous manifestation of secondary syphilis. It is also known as malignant syphilis and ulceronodular syphilis. We report a case of a 58-year-old HIV-infected male who presented with diffuse, pruritic, non-tender, maculo-papular skin lesions, ulcerated nodules and plaques surrounded by an erythematous base. The disseminated skin lesions were at various stages and were located on his back, chest, arms and testicles. Patient had been receiving antiretroviral therapy. Laboratory studies had demonstrated CD4 lymphocyte count of 463 cells/mm3 and an undetectable HIV viral load. Workup revealed a rapid plasma reagin of 1:256 dilutions and the skin biopsy findings were compatible with syphilis. The skin lesions resolved with intramuscular penicillin. We herein describe a rare case of lues maligna in an HIV-infected patient with a preserved immune function and viral suppression. Such skin lesions can mimic fungal or mycobacterial infections and can pose a diagnostic challenge. Even in the modern era, syphilis remains the great impostor. Clinicians must be able to recognize this condition based on clinical characteristics and risk factors to diagnose and treat this condition promptly.

scholarly journals Trade in wild anurans vectors the urodelan pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans into Europe

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Thien Nguyen ◽  
Thinh Van Nguyen ◽  
Thomas Ziegler ◽  
Frank Pasmans ◽  
An Martel
Keyword(s):  
Global Scale ◽  
Chytrid Fungus ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans ◽  
Pathogen Pollution

Pathogen pollution has caused dramatic losses of amphibian diversity on a global scale. The recently emerged chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) has been hypothesized to have its origin in Asian urodelan populations, from which it may have been introduced to Europe through the trade in live urodelans. We here show that Bsal is present on wild small-webbed fire-bellied toads (Bombina microdeladigitora) from Vietnam and on representatives of the same species that have recently been imported in Germany. This finding suggests that the installment of measures to mitigate the Bsal threat through the amphibian trade should not be limited to urodeles, but should equally take anurans into account.

First detection of the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Germany

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Sabino-Pinto ◽  
Molly Bletz ◽  
Ralf Hendrix ◽  
R.G. Bina Perl ◽  
An Martel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Amphibian Declines ◽  
Chytrid Fungus ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans ◽  
Fire Salamander ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Salamander Species

The emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis is one of the major factors triggering global amphibian declines. A recently discovered species of chytrid fungus,Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans(Bsal), likely originated in East Asia, has led to massive declines in populations of fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) after its apparent introduction to the Netherlands and Belgium. Here, we report the first detection of this pathogen in Germany where it caused mass mortality of fire salamanders in a captive collection. Salamanders from this collection showed an almost 100% prevalence of infection withBsal. SupposedBsal-induced mortality occurred in multipleSalamandraspecies (S. salamandra,S. algira,S. corsica, andS. infraimmaculata), whileBsalinfection was confirmed in nine subspecies ofS. salamandraand inS. algira. Our study indicates that this pathogen can potentially infect all fire salamander species and subspecies. IfBsalspreads from captive collections to wild populations, then a similar devastating effect associated with high mortality should be expected.

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