Coinfection with chytrid genotypes drives divergent infection dynamics reflecting regional distribution patterns

Author(s)

Carvalho, Tamilie ; Medina, Daniel ; P. Ribeiro, Luisa ; Rodriguez, David ; Jenkinson, Thomas S. ; Becker, C. Guilherme ; Toledo, Luis Felipe ; Hite, Jessica L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY; v. 6, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2023-09-14.

Abstract

By altering the abundance, diversity, and distribution of species-and their pathogens-globalization may inadvertently select for more virulent pathogens. In Brazil's Atlantic Forest, a hotspot of amphibian biodiversity, the global amphibian trade has facilitated the co-occurrence of previously isolated enzootic and panzootic lineages of the pathogenic amphibian-chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, 'Bd') and generated new virulent recombinant genotypes ('hybrids'). Epidemiological data indicate that amphibian declines are most severe in hybrid zones, suggesting that coinfections are causing more severe infections or selecting for higher virulence. We investigated how coinfections involving these genotypes shapes virulence and transmission. Overall, coinfection favored the more virulent and competitively superior panzootic genotype, despite dampening its transmission potential and overall virulence. However, for the least virulent and least competitive genotype, coinfection increased both overall virulence and transmission. Thus, by integrating experimental and epidemiological data, our results provide mechanistic insight into how globalization can select for, and propel, the emergence of introduced hypervirulent lineages, such as the globally distributed panzootic lineage of Bd. Integration of experimental and epidemiological data on chytrid infection in frogs reveals the effect of multi-strain coinfection on virulence and transmission of the pathogen. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/25358-3 - The chytrid fungus: from its origins to its consequences
• Grantee: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/23622-0 - Implications of national and international bullfrog trade in spread and tolerance acquired to chytrid fungus and conservation measures of anurans
• Grantee: Luisa de Pontes Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/08650-8 - Amphibian microbiome: the first line of defense against chytrid infection
• Grantee: Daniel Christofer Medina Lopez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral