The Binding, Infection, and Promoted Growth of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> by the Ranavirus FV3

oleh: Francisco De Jesús Andino, Anton Davydenko, Rebecca J. Webb, Jacques Robert

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-01-01

Deskripsi

Increasing reports suggest the occurrence of co-infection between Ranaviruses such as Frog Virus 3 (FV3) and the chytrid fungus <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> (Bd) in various amphibian species. However, the potential direct interaction of these two pathogens has not been examined to date. In this study, we investigated whether FV3 can interact with Bd in vitro using qPCR, conventional microscopy, and immunofluorescent microscopy. Our results reveal the unexpected ability of FV3 to bind, promote aggregation, productively infect, and significantly increase Bd growth in vitro. To extend these results in vivo, we assessed the impact of FV3 on <i>Xenopus tropicalis</i> frogs previously infected with Bd. Consistent with in vitro results, FV3 exposure to previously Bd-infected <i>X. tropicalis</i> significantly increased Bd loads and decreased the host’s survival.