The alternate role of direct and environmental transmission in fungal infectious disease in wildlife: ThreatsS for biodiversity conservation

Authors: Al-Shorbaji, F.N., Gozlan, R.E., Roche, B., Robert Britton, J. and Andreou, D.

Journal: Scientific Reports

Volume: 5

eISSN: 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/srep10368

Abstract:

Emerging fungal pathogens have substantial consequences for infected hosts, as revealed by the global decline of amphibian species from the chytrid fungus. According to the "curse of the Pharaoh" hypothesis, free-living infectious stages typical of fungal pathogens lengthen the timespan of transmission. Free-living infectious stages whose lifespan exceeds the infection time of their hosts are not constrained by virulence, enabling them to persist at high levels and continue transmitting to further sensitive hosts. Using the only Mesomycetozoea fungal species that can be cultured, Sphaerothecum destruens, we obtained tractable data on infectivity and pathogen life cycle for the first time. Here, based on the outcomes of a set of infectious trials and combined with an epidemiological model, we show a high level of dependence on direct transmission in crowded, confined environments and establish that incubation rate and length of infection dictate the epidemic dynamics of fungal disease. The spread of Mesomycetozoea in the wild raise ecological concerns for a range of susceptible species including birds, amphibians and mammals. Our results shed light on the risks associated with farming conditions and highlight the additional risk posed by invasive species that are highly abundant and can act as infectious reservoir hosts.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22030/

Source: Scopus

The alternate role of direct and environmental transmission in fungal infectious disease in wildlife: threats for biodiversity conservation.

Authors: Al-Shorbaji, F.N., Gozlan, R.E., Roche, B., Britton, J.R. and Andreou, D.

Journal: Sci Rep

Volume: 5

Pages: 10368

eISSN: 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/srep10368

Abstract:

Emerging fungal pathogens have substantial consequences for infected hosts, as revealed by the global decline of amphibian species from the chytrid fungus. According to the "curse of the Pharaoh" hypothesis, free-living infectious stages typical of fungal pathogens lengthen the timespan of transmission. Free-living infectious stages whose lifespan exceeds the infection time of their hosts are not constrained by virulence, enabling them to persist at high levels and continue transmitting to further sensitive hosts. Using the only Mesomycetozoea fungal species that can be cultured, Sphaerothecum destruens, we obtained tractable data on infectivity and pathogen life cycle for the first time. Here, based on the outcomes of a set of infectious trials and combined with an epidemiological model, we show a high level of dependence on direct transmission in crowded, confined environments and establish that incubation rate and length of infection dictate the epidemic dynamics of fungal disease. The spread of Mesomycetozoea in the wild raise ecological concerns for a range of susceptible species including birds, amphibians and mammals. Our results shed light on the risks associated with farming conditions and highlight the additional risk posed by invasive species that are highly abundant and can act as infectious reservoir hosts.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22030/

Source: PubMed

The alternate role of direct and environmental transmission in fungal infectious disease in wildlife: threats for biodiversity conservation

Authors: Al-Shorbaji, F.N., Gozlan, R.E., Roche, B., Britton, J.R. and Andreou, D.

Journal: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS

Volume: 5

ISSN: 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/srep10368

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22030/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

The alternate role of direct and environmental transmission in fungal infectious disease in wildlife: threats for biodiversity conservation.

Authors: Al-Shorbaji, F.N., Gozlan, R.E., Roche, B., Britton, J.R. and Andreou, D.

Journal: Scientific reports

Volume: 5

Pages: 10368

eISSN: 2045-2322

ISSN: 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/srep10368

Abstract:

Emerging fungal pathogens have substantial consequences for infected hosts, as revealed by the global decline of amphibian species from the chytrid fungus. According to the "curse of the Pharaoh" hypothesis, free-living infectious stages typical of fungal pathogens lengthen the timespan of transmission. Free-living infectious stages whose lifespan exceeds the infection time of their hosts are not constrained by virulence, enabling them to persist at high levels and continue transmitting to further sensitive hosts. Using the only Mesomycetozoea fungal species that can be cultured, Sphaerothecum destruens, we obtained tractable data on infectivity and pathogen life cycle for the first time. Here, based on the outcomes of a set of infectious trials and combined with an epidemiological model, we show a high level of dependence on direct transmission in crowded, confined environments and establish that incubation rate and length of infection dictate the epidemic dynamics of fungal disease. The spread of Mesomycetozoea in the wild raise ecological concerns for a range of susceptible species including birds, amphibians and mammals. Our results shed light on the risks associated with farming conditions and highlight the additional risk posed by invasive species that are highly abundant and can act as infectious reservoir hosts.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22030/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

The alternate role of direct and environmental transmission in fungal infectious disease in wildlife: threats for biodiversity conservation.

Authors: Al-Shorbaji, F.N., Gozlan, R.E., Roche, B., Britton, J.R. and Andreou, D.

Journal: Scientific Reports

Volume: 5

Pages: 10368

ISSN: 2045-2322

Abstract:

Emerging fungal pathogens have substantial consequences for infected hosts, as revealed by the global decline of amphibian species from the chytrid fungus. According to the "curse of the Pharaoh" hypothesis, free-living infectious stages typical of fungal pathogens lengthen the timespan of transmission. Free-living infectious stages whose lifespan exceeds the infection time of their hosts are not constrained by virulence, enabling them to persist at high levels and continue transmitting to further sensitive hosts. Using the only Mesomycetozoea fungal species that can be cultured, Sphaerothecum destruens, we obtained tractable data on infectivity and pathogen life cycle for the first time. Here, based on the outcomes of a set of infectious trials and combined with an epidemiological model, we show a high level of dependence on direct transmission in crowded, confined environments and establish that incubation rate and length of infection dictate the epidemic dynamics of fungal disease. The spread of Mesomycetozoea in the wild raise ecological concerns for a range of susceptible species including birds, amphibians and mammals. Our results shed light on the risks associated with farming conditions and highlight the additional risk posed by invasive species that are highly abundant and can act as infectious reservoir hosts.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22030/

Source: BURO EPrints