By Richard Black Environment correspondent,
BBC News website
Scientists have unravelled the mechanism by which the fungal disease chytridiomycosis kills its victims.
The fungus is steadily spreading through populations of frogs and other amphibians worldwide, and has sent some species extinct in just a few years.
Researchers now report in the journal Science that the fungus kills by changing the animals' electrolyte balance, resulting in cardiac arrest.
The finding is described as a "key step" in understanding the epidemic.
Karen Lips, one of the world authorities on the spread of chytridiomycosis, said the research was "compelling".
"They've done an incredible amount of work, been very thorough, and I don't think anybody will have problems with this.
"We suspected something like this all along, but it's great to know this is in fact what is happening," the University of Maryland professor told BBC News.
Skin deep
Amphibian skin plays several roles in the animals' life.
Most species can breathe through it, and it is also used as a membrane through which electrolytes such as sodium and potassium are exchanged with the outside world.
The mainly Australian research group took skin samples from healthy and diseased green tree frogs, and found that these compounds passed through the skin much less readily when chytrid was present.
Samples of blood and urine from infected frogs showed much lower sodium and potassium concentrations than in healthy animals - potassium was down by half.
In other animals including humans, this kind of disturbance is known to be capable of causing cardiac arrest.
The scientists also took electrocardiogram recordings of the frogs' hearts in the hours before death; and found changes to the rhythm culminating in arrest.
Drugs that restore electrolyte balance brought the animals a few hours or days of better health, some showing enough vigour to climb out of their bowls of water; but all died in the end.
Grail quest
Lead scientist Jamie Voyles, from James Cook University in Townsville, said the next step was to look for the same phenomenon in other species.
"This is lethal across a broad range of hosts, whether terrestrial or aquatic, so it's really important to look at what's happening in other susceptible amphibians," she said.
Another step will be to examine how the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis - Bd) impairs electrolyte transfer.
"What this work doesn't tell us is the mechanism by which chytrid causes this problem with sodium," said Matthew Fisher from Imperial College London.
"It could be that Bd is excreting a toxin, or it could be causing cell damage. This causative action is actually the 'holy grail' - so that's another obvious next step."
The finding is unlikely to plot an immediate route to ways of preventing or treating or curing the disease in the wild.
Curing infected amphibians in captivity is straightforward using antifungal chemicals; but currently there is no way to tackle it outside.
Various research teams are exploring the potential of bacteria that occur naturally on the skin of some amphibians, and may play a protective role.
Understanding the genetics of how Bd disrupts electrolyte balance might lead to more precise identification of protective bacteria, suggested Professor Lips, and so eventually play a role in curbing the epidemic.
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35 comments:
wow!! that was so intresting can that fungus spread to us also. IF it can what effect can it have on us. but how sad it was to have it's main source of protection(it's skin) be so vunerable to the fungus. As the post was saying how the frog's us there skin to exchange electrolytes, and with this fungus it's damaging it by cutting it's exchange of potassium by half. That's like us not being able to take in enough water and then dying of lack of water(dehydration) How sad is that poor frog's.
WEIRD! Okay so there's bad fungus and good fungus for frogs and amphibians, right? The bad one changes the frog's electrolyte balance and the good one is protective bacteria on the frog's outsides. I didn't know that fungus could alter the frog leaving it in cardiac arrest. Yes antifungal chemicals can be used to prevent death in amphibians that are in captivity, but something needs to be done about the wildlife. This epidemic should be further understood.
I had no idea sodium and potassium used skin to diffuse out the body. Much less that when chytrid was present, it slowed down the process and potassium was down by half of what it normally does. If the results are cardiac arrest this may mean it is harmful for us and can kill us. Antifungal chemicals can help but it may have different symptoms on different species. Finding out this type of things can be helpful and understand some of the outside stuff we havent hit yet.
Interesting...how the fungus can lead the animal to its death by changing the amount of potassium in half. Also its interesting finding out how the amphibians skin is used as a membrane in which the electrolytes such as sodium and potassium are exchanged within the outside world to which we are exposed to which means that it can also be harmful to us. It is important that they have found this fungus early because it helps those that are exposed to the frogs and any other amphibians around the world by informing them that there are in danger by being around the infected animals, but it also helps us by letting us know what is happening around the world to the amphibians and which can later come and attach us too.
This article is very informative and explained the effects of fungus on frogs. Learning about this made me realize that there is so many things in this world undiscovered. Many of us can live life being completely clueless of the things that happen in nature. I learned that sodium and pottasium use skin to diffuse out of the body and what the fungus is doing to frogs is changing the amount of frog's potassium in half which causes them to die. It is sad to hear that frog's deadly killer can be something so small like fungus. Knowing this is good for us in the future so we know the effect of fungus. Maybe this can lead to later discoveries of the effects of fungus on humans.
After reading this article I learned that the disease chytridiomycosis is spreading through frog populations. I also learned that this disease puts amphibians in cardiac arrest. I think this article is very interesting. I also think that this article can give us an idea why some of the already extinct frogs might have gone extinct. I think this article might help people understand what is happening to our amphibians and why it is important to keep them from being extinct. This article also may help other scientists research on other animals and try to find reason why they may be becoming extinct and how they could prevent this. Juan Centeno 3rd
I learned that the reason frogs are being killed off isn't because of an increase of new predators or too much competition over food, but because of a fungus. A fungus that messes up the electrolyte trade, which is crucial for frogs, kind of like how we trade off oxygen and carbon dioxide. They are looking at which cells this fungus targets in order to increase that particular cells defenses to give the frogs a fighting chance.
In this article I’ve learned that a disease called chytridiomycosis is being spread through frogs and amphibians. It has even caused some species to go extinct in a few years. Wow! That seems like a big deal since this disturbance has not only done that but is has been known to cause cardiac arrest in some humans. The reason for the cardiac arrest is because it changes the electrolyte balance in the organisms. Something about certain species that I didn’t know is that they can breathe through their skin and can exchange electrolytes with the outside world by doing so. I’m glad that scientist are going to try to examine how the chytrid fungus impairs electrolyte transfer since they still don’t know how chytrid causes problems with sodium (an electrolyte). Good article.
I had never heard of a fungus that can cause cardiac arrest....in frogs anyway. A fungus that can cause an electrolyte imbalance, killing the frogs is horrible to nature and the food chain. The skin in connection to the production of sodium and potassium,is lowered by half because of this fungus. If this is continued then it can possibly spread to people. I think that scientist should think of wildlife animals more than the ones in captivity because they are more vulernable to deadly viruses, fungus' etc.
Karla Trevino 1st pd
After reading this article I wondered that if this fungus could become into something really bad to us humans. I think it could have a really bad outcome in humans because if it reduces potassium in frogs and then spreads that way, causing cardiac arrest, then it can easily have the same effects on us humans. This shows how eventhough technology has advanced by time, different type of diseases are also coming out.
Wow it is amazing how can a little fellow do so much harm to nature. Eventhough it look harmless it can do many unexpected things as mentioned in the blog. Its suprising how fungus can block the exchange of electrolyte between frogs and kill them. Also, good thing we have a skin too, to protect are imunne system from cintracting any kind of bacteria which is harmfull for us.
This is a very interesting article, because one how is it that this bacteria or "killer" came to be, the holy grail is mentioned to be, finding another sort of way in which this happens or why, but i think that its more along the lines for where it originated from, find the source find the cure type of stuff. Also the frogs skin gets affected but how is it that is is still functioning only its not doing what its supposed to, like its excreting instead of keeping homeostasis.
COOLNESS!This article was so amazing. I didn't know that a fungus could make such damage to a frog by changing the electrolyte balance. This has a major impact on the frog which will probobly or might have a huge decrease in the population. I learned that sodium and potassium was used in skin to diffuse out of the body.
ok so frogs, I do not like them, matter a fact I freak out if one is close to my feet. But after reading this article, I realize how important it is to appreciate nature and the organisms living in it. Frogs are in danger:( and its sad because we need to start saving our planet and everything in it to the best of our ability. I found this article very informative, especially as the writer informs the readers on how the amphibians' skin releases the sodium and potasium. Bottom line is we need to find an advancement and work with these amphibians, we need to act and save them- now.
It's incredible how something so small, such as fungus can lead frogs to their death. Not only them , but its assumed to be the cause of sending some species toward extinction (frogs and other amphibians wordlwide).It's weird how all this is happening towards these creatures and it's not really taken to importance towards many humans.Poor things, but something has to be done because the fungus can soon be very harmful towards us so its better solve theis problem now rather than just wait and suffer when nothing can be done.
Honestly who knew that there was a disease that could change electrolytes and cause cardiac arrest? I didnt. And i also didnt know that this very disease has caused the extinction of a few species of anphibians. i also didnt know that the anphibian uses its skin to breathe. Unbelieveable.
I feel that this disease is a huge problem in the ecosystem, especially to our beloved frogs as well as other anphibians. I feel that what this blog says is a message that we must find a cure for this disease against certain anphibians, we cant afford to lose anymore species.
People that read this blog will be shocked in my opinion because anphibians are a great part of this ecosystem, they are needed to do certain things for the perfection of this ecosystem. Everything has a niche.
Chris Sanchez 3rd Period
The chytridiomycosis fungus is killing amphibians all over the world, it has however, hit the frogs the hardest. What happens is that the fungus alters the frogs electrolyte balance causing the frog to have a heart attack. Scientists are still unsure as to how this would or does affect humans, but what they do know is that it affects the frogs skin which helps them breath, and eventually causes them to sufffer a cardiac arrest.
the whole deal about sodium and potassium in their skin reminds me of how nerve cells work and i wonder if they have any relation with each other. Anyways, i was shocked by the thought of fungus actually making an animal extinct withing a span of a few years! crazy
We should totally create a frog club so we can save all ampibions in danger from this horrible chemical. I never knew that most amphibians have skin that like a membrane uses it to breathe, and absorb potassium and other stuff. Unfortunatly a disease called chytridiomycosis disables them from abosorbing any type of nutrient to the body. Causing them to eventually have a cardiac arrest. Eventhough this is helping to keep the overall balance of the frogs population, it'll also give us knowledge on how to stop it. Hopefully by other people reading this article will bring awareness to people who didn't even know about the epidemic going across the amphibion world.
It is intresting how the fungus can diffuse into the skin of the frog and cause the from to die from cardio arrest. Its weird how such a fungus can diffuse through the the frogs skin which acts as a semi permeable membrane allowing only certain things in and out. Knowing that it goes into the host and affecting its electrolyte balance and its potasiumm level acts as a key to understanding what it actually it is affecting inside the organism. By undertanding this we may solve the world wide epedemic affecting many species saving many of our animal neighboors on earth from extinction.
After reading this article I learned that the fungial disease chytridiomycosis kills its victims by preventing the flow of electrolyte into the animal. Therefore the ulimate result is cardiac arrest. In my opinion this article is very important because it gives us insight as to how the skin (as a membrane) plays a very important role in the frogs life, and it is through that membrane that the frog can also suffer from this fungus attack. In the future this information may be useful in determining more about this type of fungus and how we can use it in the medical filed as a remedy to some problem. It will also provide information to futurther study the mechanisms of frogs overall.
(maggie castillo 3rd Pd)
It’s weird how fungus can be good in one way but in another not. I didn't know that fungus could alter the frog leaving it in cardiac arrest that’s funny and cool lol because like animals are just like us and like we think well some people think they are insignificant animals when they are not
I learned there's bad fungus and good fungus for frogs and amphibians. The bad fungus changes the frog's electrolyte balance and the good fungus is protecting bacteria on the frog's outsides. I had no idea sodium and potassium used skin to diffuse out the body and that Antifungal chemicals can help but it may have different reactions on different species. It is important to have found this fungus early because it helps those that are exposed to the frogs and any other amphibians around the world by informing them that there are in danger by being around the infected animals. Joannas blog is interesting. Its important because they can help us get ride of the fungus just incase it finds a way to jump to the human species.
I thought fungus was amphibians best friend and now its damaging them? Well thats something else..
So apparently some sort of fungus messes the electrolyte balance, it can effect us too! It's pretty neat how its done though. Theres million of things that are out yet to be discovered..
This article is very appealing article. It made me feel very greatful for being a human. After reading this article I felt pity towards these froggies. I felt like just going over to their lands and grabbing each and everyone of them and taking them home. I just want to burn all the fungus that is hurting these poor animals. I never thought something that looks so inocent and unharmful can do alot of damage.
This article was very interesting, how a fungus can kill off a frog by messing up with its electrolyte trade. It made me think what would happen if that fungus were to attach itself onto us? Would we get the same results as the frog?
This article was very interesting, how a fungus can kill off a frog by messing up with its electrolyte trade. It made me think what would happen if that fungus were to attach itself onto us? Would we get the same results as the frog?
Due to a unfortunate case of athletes foot that happened to me recently, I was not surprised that fungus could attack and kill an other living thing. Though with most fungus, death to the victim is not always the case. Like with all things, there are good and bad. This article helped me learn more about the "good" kinds of fungus and left me wondering of possible medical applications that can be derived from them
i learned that bd kills by making the skin of amphibians less passive so they have some of the potassium and sodium that they should not have.
It's pretty cool how the fungus acts upon the frog. It's pretty bad for the frog because the fungus can penetrate through the frog's main source of protection and cut the intake of potassium by half.
I never knew that fungus could lead to cardiac arrest. As it turns out there is no real cure for this outbreak and that is why frogs exposed to this fungus die out. I learned how scientists have used anti-fungal chemicals to help cure this fungus, but this attempt failed to save the frog. It's wierd how this fungus lowers sodium and potassium levels. This discovery was very interesting.
This is an interesting article. Now scientists found how the fungal disease chytridiomycosis kills its victims. It is a strong virus that has many species extinct in a few years. Good thing they found out the way it is spread. They are also investigating the potential bacteria that could play a protective role on an amphibians body. I think they should still keep investigating,even though they found a very good amount of information I think they could still find out more about this fungal disease.
Its pretty mind blowing knowing that a fungus is killing amphibians around the world. But, its pretty interesting know the way that the fungus the amphibians. Frogs are especially valurnable to the fungus so they have been hit the hardest. Hopefully with all the research that is being done on frogs and on the fungus a cure will be found be found in time to save to populations of amphibians around the world.
Interesting...how the fungus can lead the animal to its death by changing the amount of potassium in half. i didn't have a clue they can do this. Also the frogs skin gets affected but how is it that is still functioning only its not doing what its supposed to, like its excreting instead of keeping homeostasis.its weird in a way. i also learned that its harmful to humans.
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