Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Al-Shorbaji F. N., Gozlan Rodolphe, Roche Benjamin, Britton J. R., Andreou D. (2015). The alternate role of direct and environmental transmission in fungal infectious disease in wildlife : threats for biodiversity conservation. Scientific Reports, 5, p. art. 10368 [9 p.]. ISSN 2045-2322.

Titre du document
The alternate role of direct and environmental transmission in fungal infectious disease in wildlife : threats for biodiversity conservation
Année de publication
2015
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000355394300001
Auteurs
Al-Shorbaji F. N., Gozlan Rodolphe, Roche Benjamin, Britton J. R., Andreou D.
Source
Scientific Reports, 2015, 5, p. art. 10368 [9 p.] ISSN 2045-2322
Emerging fungal pathogens have substantial consequences for infected hosts, as revealed by the global decline of amphibian species from the chytrid fungus. According to the "curse of the Pharaoh" hypothesis, free-living infectious stages typical of fungal pathogens lengthen the timespan of transmission. Free-living infectious stages whose lifespan exceeds the infection time of their hosts are not constrained by virulence, enabling them to persist at high levels and continue transmitting to further sensitive hosts. Using the only Mesomycetozoea fungal species that can be cultured, Sphaerothecum destruens, we obtained tractable data on infectivity and pathogen life cycle for the first time. Here, based on the outcomes of a set of infectious trials and combined with an epidemiological model, we show a high level of dependence on direct transmission in crowded, confined environments and establish that incubation rate and length of infection dictate the epidemic dynamics of fungal disease. The spread of Mesomycetozoea in the wild raise ecological concerns for a range of susceptible species including birds, amphibians and mammals. Our results shed light on the risks associated with farming conditions and highlight the additional risk posed by invasive species that are highly abundant and can act as infectious reservoir hosts.
Plan de classement
Sciences fondamentales / Techniques d'analyse et de recherche [020] ; Ecologie, systèmes aquatiques [036] ; Entomologie médicale / Parasitologie / Virologie [052] ; Sciences du monde animal [080]
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010064663]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010064663
Contact