Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Darwin's frog Rhinoderma spp. in Chile.

The presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Chile was evaluated in 2 endangered frog species of the genus Rhinoderma. Specimens from a captive rearing facility, wild populations and preserved collection material were analyzed using histological and molecular techniques. The fungus was identified in the rearing facility and in wild populations, but not in the archived frogs. This study confirms, for first time, the presence of chytridiomycosis in Rhinoderma darwinii in Chile.

Pathological changes in African hyperoliid frogs due to a myxosporidian infection with a new species of Hoferellus (Myxozoa).

A proliferous, polycystic and sometimes fatal kidney disease due to an infection with myxosporidia is reported in 24 of 28 hyperoliid frogs (Afrixalus dorsalis, Hyperolius concolor, Hyperolius sp.) from Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania. In line with pathological changes in fish, the disease is described as 'frog kidney enlargement disease' (FKED). Myxosporidian plasmodia, different developmental stages and spores occurred in the kidney, ureter, and urinary bladder and in the intestine of the frogs. The parasite belongs to the genus Hoferellus and is presented as a new species: H. anurae n. sp. Spores are similar in size and structure to other Hoferellus species in fish but differ by the presence of a more prominent suture line and shorter caudal appendages. This is the first report on a Hoferellus species in amphibians as well as the first report of the genus Hoferellus in African vertebrates.

Genetic characterization of a Chlamydophila pneumoniae isolate from an African frog and comparison to currently accepted biovars.

The amphibian isolate DE177 identified as Chlamydophila (C.) pneumoniae was sequenced in five genomic regions: 16S ribosomal RNA gene, 16-23S intergenic spacer, ompA, ompB, and groESL genes. Comparison with corresponding sequences of the currently accepted equine, human and koala biovars of C. pneumoniae revealed that koala strains represented the most closely related taxon, although sequence dissimilarities in the ompA (VD4) and ompB gene regions were noted. In this respect, the present isolate is distinct from a previously described frog isolate (Berger et al., 1999) whose sequence analysis yielded identity to the koala biovar. As three of the nucleotide substitutions in ompA (VD4) of DE177 will be translated into two altered amino acids the possible existence of another biovar is discussed.

[Chytridiomycosis in amphibians--first report in Europe]. / Chytridiomykose bei Amphibien--erstmaliger Nachweis für Europa.

Declining of amphibian populations is a worldwide phenomenon. A cutaneous mycosis as a cause of death in free-living amphibians as well as in captive ones due to an chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) was reported at first in 1998. This infections were reported hitherto from Australia, North, Central and South America. This is the first report on chytrid infections in captive anurans from Europe. Dendrobates auratus and D. pumilo imported from Costa Rica and P. vittatus imported from French Guayana died with chytridiomycosis within a week after arrival in Europe. Batrachocytrium was also found on captive bred frogs in Germany and Belgium. Clinical signs, diagnosis and conclusions for protecting free-living amphibian populations and captive frogs are discussed.

[Detection of Chlamydia psittaci infections in amphibians using an immunofluorescence test]. / Nachweis von Chlamydia psittaci-Infektionen bei amphibien mittels eines spezifischen Immunofluoreszenztests.

In amphibians, Chlamydia psittaci infections are known since 1982 as a fatal disease. Only documented in two amphibian species, the pathogen seems to be widespread in these coldblooded vertebrates. The detection of intracytoplasmatic inclusion bodies and following examinations (electronmicroscopy) were necessary for the postmortal diagnosis. In 26 amphibians (3 species) a specific immunological testkit (immunofluerescence test) have been used. In 18 cases a positive result was found. This is the first report about using an IFT for the detection of Chlamydia psittaci in amphibians. Two new host species for this pathogen were found, one bufonid anuran (Bufo maculatum) and the new Pachytriton sp.