Quantifying Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans Viability

AbstractThe disease chytridiomycosis is responsible for global amphibian declines. Chytridiomycosis is caused byBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) andB. salamandrivorans (Bsal), fungal pathogens with stationary and transmissible life stages. Establishing methods that quantify growth and survival of both life stages can facilitate research on the pathophysiology and disease ecology of these pathogens. We tested the efficacy of the MTT assay, a colorimetric test of cell viability, and found it to be a reliable method for quantifying the viability ofBd andBsal stationary life stages. This method can provide insights into these pathogens ’ growth and reproduction to improve our understanding of chytridiomycosis.
Source: EcoHealth - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research