The amphibian world has been battling a lethal fungal disease, Chytridiomycosis or chytrid, for the past four decades. This ‘panzootic’—an equivalent of a pandemic in the animal kingdom—has wiped out 90 species and caused severe declines in over 500 frog species. Efforts to combat this issue have seen significant advances in biotechnology, leading to a better understanding of wildlife diseases.
Understanding Chytridiomycosis or Chytrid
Chytrid is an infectious disease that targets the skin of frogs, disrupting their capacity to manage water and salt levels. This often fatal disease boasts a high mortality rate, making it one of the deadliest animal diseases known to science.
The chytrid fungus originated in Asia and was inadvertently spread worldwide through international commerce and travel involving amphibians. For the past 40 years, it’s been devastating frog populations, eradicating 90 species and causing serious declines in more than 500 others. Many species have immune systems unequipped to fight off the infection, resulting in mass fatalities.
Diagnosis and Detection of Chytrid
To detect chytrid in frogs, researchers use a qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) test. This test involves swabbing the skin of frogs and measures the volume of DNA from a species of interest. The development of the qPCR test at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in 2004, marked a significant milestone in chytrid diagnosis.
In recent years, scientists from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) in India have also been refining a new qPCR test that can identify strains of chytrid from Asia.
Role of Immunity in Amphibians
Interestingly, some amphibian species carry the chytrid fungus without falling ill. The reason behind this puzzling phenomenon has yet to be discovered as no clear correlation between resistance and immune function has been found. There is, however, evidence suggesting that chytrid may suppress a host’s immune response.
The State of Chytrid Research in Asia
While Asia lags behind in chytrid research, a multinational study has developed a method for detecting all known chytrid strains. This development is a significant breakthrough, dramatically improving our capacity to detect and study the disease with the goal of finding a widely available cure.
About CSIR – Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
India’s CSIR-CCMB is a pioneering research body focusing on cutting-edge biological studies. It promotes centralized national facilities for novel and modern techniques in various areas of biology. Established as a semi-autonomous center on April 1, 1977, its core was formed from the Biochemistry Division of the then Regional Research Laboratory, now known as the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad.
Relevance to UPSC Civil Services Examination
In the context of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, previous year questions have encompassed similar topics related to diseases and scientific advancements. For instance, questions like “The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of spread of viral diseases” and “H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to Swine flu” have been asked, highlighting the importance of staying updated with contemporary developments in science.
