The Invasive Chytrid Fungus of Amphibians Paralyzes Lymphocyte Responses

Abstract

Breaking Frog Defenses The first line of immune defense against most fungal infections consists of innate immune effector cells, including macrophages and neutrophils. However, Fites et al. (p. 366 ) have found that the fungus currently decimating the world's amphibia, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis , is readily engulfed by these cells, but that this does not effectively control the infection. The fungus releases cell-wall components that induce lymphocyte apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of other nonlymphoid cell types, disarming lymphocyte-mediated responses to infection.