MS-222 (tricaine methane sulfonate) does not kill the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Abstract

MS-222 (tricaine methane sulfonate) is an agent commonly used to anaesthetise or euthanize amphibians used in experiments. It is administered by immersing the animal to allow absorption through the skin. Chytridiomycosis is an important disease of amphibians and research involves experiments with live animals. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, the fungus which causes chytridiomycosis, is located in the skin and therefore the organism should come into contact with MS-222 when it is used. B. dendrobatidis is a sensitive organism which could possibly be killed by MS-222. Hence, results of chytridiomycosis studies in which MS-222 is used could be unreliable. A concentration of 2 g l-1 and an expos..