Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Global Pandemic Lineage (BdGPL)
Species: Amphibians
Currently, there are six known distinct genetic Bd lineages. The most pathogenic seem to be fungi of the lineages BdCAPE and BdGPL (=Global Pandemic Lineage). BdCAPE is present mainly in Africa, while BdGPL is distributed worldwide and is the most commonly detected Bd lineage. Clinical symptoms are similar to the generally exhibited symptoms of chytrid fungus, including skin lesions. Affected animals also often present with neurological symptoms. This pathogen can cause severe outbreaks up to local extinctions of whole populations. Severity and extent of these outbreaks depend on different factors, including host species and environmental factors. Animals can be inapparent carriers of the disease. We are now offering a specific test for BdGPL as a differentiation option in samples with a positive Bd- PCR result.
