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Chytrid Fungi and Nitrile Gloves Research Data

Cite this dataset

Thomas, Valarie et al. (2020). Chytrid Fungi and Nitrile Gloves Research Data [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vdncjsxs1

Abstract

To prevent transmission of the pathogenic chytrid fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), hygiene protocols prescribe the single use of disposable gloves for handling amphibians. We discovered that rinse water from nitrile gloves instantly kills 99% of Bd and Bsal zoospores. Transmission experiments using midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans) and Bd, and Alpine newts (Ichthyosaura alpestris) and Bsal, show that the use of the same pair of gloves for 2 subsequent individuals does not result in significant transmission of any chytrid fungus. In contrast, handling infected amphibians bare-handed caused transmission of Bsal in 4 out of 10 replicates, but did not result in transmission of Bd. Based on the manufacturer’s information, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and colorimetric tests, calcium lactate and calcium nitrate were identified as compounds with antifungal activity against both Bd and Bsal. These findings corroborate the importance of wearing gloves as an important sanitary measure in amphibian disease prevention. If the highly recommended single use of gloves is not possible, handling multiple post-metamorphic amphibians with the same pair of nitrile gloves should still be preferred above bare-handed manipulation.

Methods

This datasets were collected from several experiments associated with the corresponding research article: Real-time PCR  runs, other PCR data providing infection load data, PCR results showing decrease in pathogen numbers based on exposure to rinsewater, heat and hpc water Data collected from experiments from quantifying chemicals dissolved in rinse water.

Usage notes

All the data is present.