Amphibian communities are declining around the world, mainly due to chytridiomycosis. Researchers know that some species of amphibians are naturally born more susceptible to this disease than others.
Recent evidence, published in the April issue of BioScience, shows that amphibians can sometimes be resistant to chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Jonathan Q. Richmond and three other co-authors argue that scientists need to expand their research.
chytridiomycosis, in addition to the so-called immunity acquired by amphibians, as this could improve predictive patterns of Bd transmission, which in turn could find ways to protect toads and frogs is threatened.
Richmond and his colleagues discuss experimental studies showing that two New Zealand frog species were infected with Bd but treated with the antimicrobial drug chloramphenicol and subsequently became resistant to the fungus. Other studies have shown that toads from North America that survive exposure to Bd in dry conditions are more likely to survive reinfection in wet conditions than toads exposed to Bd in wet conditions early on. .
Richmond and his colleagues point out that innate resistance must be activated in animals before immunity can develop. They have shown that several key components of the immune system – the toll-type receptor (toll-type receptors) and complex molecules compatible in tissue transplantation – are likely to play a key role in connecting the system, innate immune systems and acquired. They also urge scientists to conduct collaborative studies on how immune systems interact when Bd is spread.
