Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38178008›Full record

ArticleBMC ecology and evolution2024

eDNA-based monitoring of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans with ddPCR in Luxembourg ponds: taking signals below the Limit of Detection (LOD) into account.

David Porco, Chanistya Ayu Purnomo, Liza Glesener, Roland Proess, Stéphanie Lippert, Kevin Jans, Guy Colling, Simone Schneider, Raf Stassen, Alain C Frantz

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC ecology and evolution, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  3. Preliminary Screening forMicroorganisms · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

David PorcoMusée national d'histoire naturelle du Luxembourg, 25, rue Münster, Luxembourg, L-2160, Luxembourg. david.porco.gm@gmail.com.
Chanistya Ayu PurnomoMusée national d'histoire naturelle du Luxembourg, 25, rue Münster, Luxembourg, L-2160, Luxembourg.
Liza GlesenerNaturschutzsyndikat SICONA, 12, rue de Capellen, L-8393 Olm, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Roland ProessUmweltplanungsbüro Ecotop, 45, Schlassuecht, L-7435 Hollenfels, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Stéphanie LippertMusée national d'histoire naturelle du Luxembourg, 25, rue Münster, Luxembourg, L-2160, Luxembourg.
Kevin JansNatur&ëmwelt Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur, 5, Route de Luxembourg, L-1899, Kockelscheuer, Luxembourg.
Guy CollingMusée national d'histoire naturelle du Luxembourg, 25, rue Münster, Luxembourg, L-2160, Luxembourg.
Simone SchneiderMusée national d'histoire naturelle du Luxembourg, 25, rue Münster, Luxembourg, L-2160, Luxembourg.
Raf StassenBiota.lu, 9a, Rue Principale, L-6990, Hostert, Luxembourg.
Alain C FrantzMusée national d'histoire naturelle du Luxembourg, 25, rue Münster, Luxembourg, L-2160, Luxembourg.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) are two pathogenic fungi that are a significant threat to amphibian communities worldwide. European populations are strongly impacted and the monitoring of the presence and spread of these pathogens is crucial for efficient decision-making in conservation management.

resultsHere we proposed an environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring of these two pathogenic agents through droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) based on water samples from 24 ponds in Luxembourg. In addition, amphibians were swabbed in eight of the targeted ponds in order to compare the two approaches at site-level detection. This study allowed the development of a new method taking below-Limit of Detection (LOD) results into account thanks to the statistical comparison of the frequencies of false positives in no template controls (NTC) and below-LOD results in technical replicates. In the eDNA-based approach, the use of this method led to an increase in Bd and Bsal detection of 28 and 50% respectively. In swabbing, this resulted in 8% more positive results for Bd. In some samples, the use of technical replicates allowed to recover above-LOD signals and increase Bd detection by 35 and 33% respectively for eDNA and swabbing, and Bsal detection by 25% for eDNA.

conclusionsThese results confirmed the usefulness of technical replicates to overcome high levels of stochasticity in very low concentration samples even for a highly sensitive technique such as ddPCR. In addition, it showed that below-LOD signals could be consistently recovered and the corresponding amplification events assigned either to positive or negative detection via the method developed here. This methodology might be particularly worth pursuing in pathogenic agents' detection as false negatives could have important adverse consequences. In total, 15 ponds were found positive for Bd and four for Bsal. This study reports the first record of Bsal in Luxembourg.

Indexed as

ChytridiomycotaDNA, EnvironmentalMycosesAmphibiansAnimalsBatrachochytriumLimit of DetectionLuxembourgPolymerase Chain ReactionPondsDNA, EnvironmentalBatrachochytrium dendrobatidisBatrachochytrium salamandrivoransBelow-LOD signalddPCReDNALuxembourgMonitoringPathogens

Identifiers

PMID38178008
PMCPMC10768104

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.