First line of defence: Skin microbiota may protect anurans from infective larval lungworms.

Abstract

Functional roles of the rich microbiota of the skin are not fully understood, but include protection against microbial diseases and other environmental challenges. In experimental studies, we show that reducing the microbiota from cane toad (Rhinella marina) skin by gently wiping with absorptive gauze resulted in threefold higher rates of infection by lungworms (Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala) following standardised exposure to infective skin-penetrating larvae. Higher concentrations of microbial DNA were associated with lower rates of lungworm entry. Our data suggest that microbial activity on the anuran skin comprises an important line of defence against attack by macroparasites as well as by fungi and other microbes.

• Authors: Keith Christian, Richard Shine, Kimberley A Day, Mirjam Kaestli, Karen Gibb, Catherine M Shilton, Gregory P Brown
• Journal: International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife (Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl) Vol. 14 Pg. 185-189 (Apr 2021) ISSN: 2213-2244 [Print] England
• PMID: 33898219 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian Society for Parasitology.