Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection dynamics vary seasonally in upstate New York, USA.

The amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a major cause of worldwide amphibian declines and extinctions. Although several studies indicate that Bd prevalence and infection intensity vary seasonally, temporal variation of Bd at high-latitude sites, such as the northeastern USA, is still poorly characterized. We screened amphibians for Bd monthly at 2 study sites in New York State from April to October 2011 and used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect and quantify temporal variability in Bd infection prevalence and intensity.

Molecularly-imprinted nanoparticles that recognize Naja mossambica cytotoxins: binding studies and biological effects.

We report the development of molecularly imprinted polyacrylamide nanoparticles that bind to and neutralize the activity of cytotoxins present in the venom of the Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica mossambica). The binding activity of these nanoparticles is avid and specific. These findings hold promise for the development of a synthetic antivenom.

First record of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infecting four frog families from Peninsular Malaysia.

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infects amphibians on every continent where they occur and is linked to the decline of over 200 amphibian species worldwide. At present, only three published Bd surveys exist for mainland Asia, and Bd has been detected in South Korea alone. In this article, we report the first survey for Bd in Peninsular Malaysia.