pathogens

PLOS Pathogens: Temperature affects susceptibility of newts to skin-eating fungus

Eastern newt populations in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada are at greatest risk of infection with a new skin-eating fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), according to a study published February 18 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Matthew Gray of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, and colleagues.

Step Outside: Prevention and Mitigation of a Dangerous Amphibian Pathogen

In this episode of Step Outside, David Carter and Adri Tompros discuss their research on Bsal, a recently discovered pathogen that eats away at amphibian skin. Bsal has been found across Europe, and Davis and Adri are part of a concerted effort to prevent further spread and transmission in the US.

Matt Gray, Deb Miller Work to Prevent Amphibian Pathogen Spread

Professors Matt Gray and Deb Miller’s work in the Amphibian Disease Lab centers on preventing the spread of an amphibian pathogen, Bsal, to the United States. Bsal is currently spreading across Europe, and many fear that international pet trade will bring pathogen here. With the Appalachian region being a hotspot for salamander diversity, the Miller-Gray Lab is focused on prevention, detection, and transmission pathways for the pathogen.

Researchers Find that Experimental Methodologies Affect Pathogenicity of Bsal Fungus

With the recent discovery of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) in Europe, numerous studies are attempting to understand its pathogenicity, and hopefully, ward off infections in other locations. However, there is no standard set of methodologies for studying the pathogen.