LAUSR

Emerging infectious diseases represent a key problem for the survival of amphibian populations. Declines related to infections of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Ranavirus have been described in several areas of Northern Spain, including protected areas. Co-infection—the simultaneous infection of a host by multiple pathogen species—can increase the susceptibility to subsequent infections. Here, we describe a case of triple dermocystid-ranavirus-chytrid fungus co-infection in a specimen of palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) from a protected wetland of North-western Spain. Five palmate newts and one Bosca’s newt (Lissotriton boscai) were found dead, and tissue samples were analysed by using qPCR methods. Ranavirus was detected in four out of five L. helveticus and in the L. boscai individual, whereas Bd was detected only in one of the five L. helveticus. Four out of six specimens tested positive for Dermocystidium. Sequencing was performed to double-check the presence of Dermocystidium in a qPCR-positive sample for that pathogen.