Amphibians May Develop Immunity To Fatal Fungus

ScienceDaily (Apr. 1, 2009) — Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, principally because of the spread of the fungal disease chytridiomycosis. Researchers know that some amphibian populations and species are innately more susceptible to the disease than others.

Recent preliminary evidence, described in the April issue of BioScience, suggests also that individual amphibians can sometimes develop resistance to chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Jonathan Q. Richmond, of the US Geological Survey, and three coauthors argue that researchers should broaden their studies of chytridiomycosis to include so-called acquired immunity, because this might improve predictive models of Bd's spread and so suggest ways to protect threatened frog and toad populations.



Richmond and colleagues discuss experimental studies indicating that two species of New Zealand frogs infected with Bd but treated with the antimicrobial drug chloramphenicol were later resistant to reinfection with the fungus. Other studies indicate that North American toads that survived after being first exposed to Bd in dry conditions survived longer when reinfected in wet conditions than did toads that were exposed to Bd in wet conditions.



Richmond and colleagues emphasize that innate immunity has to be activated in an animal before acquired immunity can develop. They point to several key immune-system components—notably, toll-like receptors and major histocompatibility complex molecules—that most likely play a role in bridging the innate and the acquired immune systems, and urge researchers to undertake collaborative studies of the genetics of how these systems interact as Bd spreads.



Source: ScienceDaily

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clthomps

Good article! evolution FTW!

atlfrog

I do believe and studies have shown that frogs have a tendency over time to develop immunities to diseases as well as fungus or bacterial infestations. The problem is a vast number of frogs die first leaving in many frog population areas not enough frogs to repopulate, this is a major cause of extinction and devastation for a species. It is nice to see conservation being done and the fact that nature will help us in the battle to some degree.

__________________
Merek Matthew Cardew :: ATLFROG.com
HTTP://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptilian-fish

socaled

I believe that any animal including humans can become immune to certain things it's a matter of many deaths and time... I'm pretty sure that the amphibian species will overcome this fungus epidemic that is causing many to die... On the brighter side of this is that it won't last forever....

-Angeles

atlfrog

I agree and disagree. If the populations are too scarce which statistics have already shown several species of amphibians have already have become extinct even with some immunity. It will not always overcome a devastating disaster even if there is a little bit of hope. Mother nature will naturally and unfortunately unnaturally kill off species and replace them with others in its place over time (Not always, man is the destroyer of all if we are not careful.). BUT the lighter note on all of this is that, that's where conservation comes in, we just need more of it and other countries to step in and fight. Some are coming, just not everyone. Money still rules the kingdom of man.

__________________
Merek Matthew Cardew :: ATLFROG.com
HTTP://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptilian-fish