Rebollar and colleagues publish on ITS DNA copy number variation and pathogen load diagnostics in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Prevalence of B. dendrobatidis infection depends on copy number threshold.

Pathogens are often detected using particular genes, but these genes can differ in copy number even between pathogen isolates.  We discuss how this may influence conclusions on pathogen loads and infection prevalence, and offer solutions.

Rebollar EA, Woodhams DC, LaBumbard B, Kielgast J, Harris RN. (2017)

Prevalence and pathogen load estimates for the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis are impacted by ITS DNA copy number variation. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 123(3):213-226.

http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v123/n3/p213-226/

Contact

Douglas C. Woodhams, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
UMass Boston | Department of Biology
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
Phone: 617-287-6679