Case report of Chytridiomycosis in an exotic frog species, Litoria caerulea in South Korea

Chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by the chytrid fungus Balrachochytrium dendrob1tidis (Bd), is one of the most serious causes of amphibian decline in the world. We report the infection of an exotic frog (White's tree frog Litoria caerulea) imported as a pet to South Korea from the United States. The frog displayed typical signs of chytridiomycosis and eventually died. Bd-specific polymerase chain reaction assay, histopathological and immunohistopathological examinations using Bd-specific polyclonal antibody proved that the frog was infected with Bd. This is the first report in Korea of an imported amphibian that was suspected to have died from chytridiomycosis. The case demonstrates that Bd can enter Korea on imported amphibians. All imported amphibians should be regarded as infected with Bd and isolated until they are proven negative by PCR testing. The impact of imported Bd on wild populations of Korean amphibians is unknown and requires investigation