Using FINDeM for rapid, CRISPR-based detection of the emerging salamandrid fungal pathogen,Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans

Abstract

The fungal pathogenBatrachochytrium salamandrivorans(Bsal) is one of two species (the other,B. dendrobatidis/Bd) that cause amphibian chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease that has been indicated in the declines of hundreds of amphibian species worldwide. WhileBdhas been near-globally distributed for well over a century,Bsalis a more recently emerged pathogen, having been identified just over a decade ago with current impacts localized to salamandrids in parts of Europe. However, because there is concern thatBsalwill cause widespread declines if introduced to naïve regions – such as the Americas where the greatest diversity of salamandrids exist – it is imperative that widespread testing and monitoring strategies be implemented to mitigate the spread ofBsal. As standard diagnostic approaches tend to be expensive, time-consuming, or require specialized instrumentation and training, we have developed a simplified, rapid, CRISPR-based approach forBsal-DNA identification and provide suggestions for its future application.