Which diagnostic test is be used for Amphibian chytrid screening?
A molecular technique, Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR),
is used as it is the most specific, sensitive and quantitative method to detect the presence of amphibian chytrid DNA.
This sensitive technique uses specific probes to detect the presence or absence of very small amount of Batrachochytrium
dendrobatidis DNA (<1 zoospores), thereby, allowing for the detection of early infections. Other diagnostic
tests
are limited in their sensitivity, specificity and are not quantitative.
Samples required:
Swabs
(Medical Wire & Equipment Co, MW100-100 plain swabs).
Swab the underside of the frog over the shaded region, particularly focusing on the ‘drink
patch’ (underside of the pelvic region involved in water uptake through the skin), the inner thighs of the hind legs
and the underside of the digits on the hind feet including the webbing between the toes.
