Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1163/15685381-00003064
Title (Primary) Side effects of itraconazole on post-metamorphic Alytes obstetricans after a cold stress
Author Loyau, A.; Cornuau, J.H.; Clare, F.C.; Schmeller, D.S.
Source Titel Amphibia-Reptilia
Year 2016
Department OEKOTOX; NSF
Volume 37
Issue 4
Page From 345
Page To 357
Language englisch
Keywords midwife toad; chytrid; metamorph; emerging infectious disease; amphibian; stress; fungus; booroolong frog
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract Itraconazole is the most widely used treatment against Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the fungal pathogen causing chytridiomycosis, a proximate cause of amphibian declines. Several side effects of itraconazole treatment, ranging in severity from depigmentation to death have been reported in different amphibian species and life stages, and these side effects were observed at commonly used dosages of itraconazole. However, no studies have investigated side-effects of itraconazole in conjunction with environmental stress. Post-metamorphic midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans) that were treated with itraconazole and subsequently exposed to a cold stress (exposure to 4°C cold water) had higher mortality rates compared to untreated individuals. Moreover, adults of booroolong frogs (Litoria booroolongensis) treated with itraconazole had a higher probability to become infected when subsequently exposed to Bd. Our results suggest that a post-metamorphosis itraconazole treatment of infected midwife toads combined with a subsequent release into the wild may be an ineffective disease mitigation strategy, as the cold stress during hibernation and/or exposure to Bd in the wild may reduce the hibernation emergence rate of treated individuals in this species.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=18151
Loyau, A., Cornuau, J.H., Clare, F.C., Schmeller, D.S. (2016):
Side effects of itraconazole on post-metamorphic Alytes obstetricans after a cold stress
Amphib. Reptil. 37 (4), 345 - 357 10.1163/15685381-00003064