Amphibians have been facing a pandemic caused by the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Although studies have elucidated cutaneous and homeostatic disturbances, it is still unknown if the hepatic function can be affected or if hepatic effects differ among host species. Thus, we evaluated the effects of an experimental Bd infection on the liver (histopathology and the hepatosomatic index) of 2 anuran species (Xenopus laevis and Physalaemus albonotatus) with different susceptibilities to Bd infection and compared them to uninfected controls. Bd infection increased the melanomacrophage cell area and induced leukocyte infiltration in both species. The effects were more pronounced in the sensitive species, P. albonotatus, which showed severe reduction in glycogen stores and liver atrophy, due to energetic imbalance. Hepatocytes of P. albonotatus also showed ballooning degeneration (vacuolization), which could lead to cell death and liver failure. Our results provide evidence that although the sensitive species showed more severe effects, the tolerant species also had hepatic responses to the infection. These findings indicate that hepatic function can play an important role in detoxification and in immune responses to chytridiomycosis, and that it may be used as a new biomarker of health status in chytrid infections.

BackgroundUnderstanding of the physiological effects of chytridiomycosis is crucial to worldwide amphibian conservation. Therefore, we analyzed the cardiac function of two anuran species (Xenopus laevis and Physalaemus albonotatus) with different susceptibilities to infection by the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (hereafter Bd).MethodsWe analyzed the in situ heart rate (fH - bpm), relative ventricular mass (RVM -%), and Ca2+ handling in heart of Bd infected animals compared to uninfected controls of both study species.ResultsBd infection resulted in a 78% decrease in contraction force values in P. albonotatus when compared to the less susceptible X. laevis. This negative effect was even more evident (82%) for the cardiac pumping capacity. The time to reach peak tension was 125% longer in P. albonotatus than in X. laevis, and cardiac relaxation was 57% longer.DiscussionThese results indicate a delay in the cardiac cycle of P. albonotatus on a beat-to-beat basis, which was corroborated by the bradycardia observed in situ. In summary, Bd-sensitive species present impaired cardiac function, which could be a factor in mortality risk. The more pronounced effects of Bd in P. albonotatus may not only result from electrolyte imbalance, as previously reported, but also could be an effect of toxins produced by Bd. For X. laevis, the ability to promote cardiac adjustments seems to be an important homeostatic feature that allows greater tolerance to chytridiomycosis. This study provides new physiological mechanisms underlying the tolerance or susceptibility of amphibian species to chytridiomycosis, which determine their adaptability to survive in the affected environments.