This is the first report of amphibian chytridiomycosis in Asia. We discovered a lethal outbreak in Japan, among 45 exotic frogs from 18 species kept for breeding by a private owner. Of these 45 frogs, 16 died and another 7 were found to be infected by chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) but survived after treatment. Bd was detected in frogs from 9 species (Lepidobatrachus laevis, Ceratophrys cornuta, C. cranwelli, C. ornata, C. calcarata, Chacophrys pierotti, Occidozyga lima, Leptodactylus pentadactylus and Plethodontohyla tuberata).

Biochemical values that differed based on sex and season in bearded dragons were similar to those in other lizards. These differences reflect physiologic differences in reproductive status in females and seasonal changes in temperature and hydration status. Plasma biochemical values established for bearded dragons in this study will be useful in the diagnostic assessment of captive animals.

To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first report of dermatophilosis due to A. chelonae infection in lizards and the first description of a concurrent infection with a ranavirus. The combined infection associated with the skin lesions may have been the primary cause of death. Co-infection with a ranavirus should be considered as a possible factor in cases of reptilian dermatophilosis.

ABSTRACT. We performed this study in order to establish an effective, simple and safe treatment for chytridiomycosis. The subjects were 12 amphibians (11 anurans of 4 different species and 1 urodela) diagnosed with chytridiomycosis by clinical signs and a PCR test. A 0.01% aqueous solution of the antifungal agent itraconazole was used to treat the subjects, and we evaluated the efficacy of treatment by 3 methods: clinical signs, direct microscopy and a nested PCR test. A 10-min immersion in a 0.01% aqueous solution of itraconazole every other day for a total of 7 treatments resulted in an improvement of clinical signs in 11 of the 12 cases. Specifically, we observed an abatement of increased sloughing and disappearance of zoosporangia by direct microscopy. DNA fragments of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis were not detected by a PCR test at the end of treatment, nor were they detected after treatment (20-57 days following treatment; average, 34.4 days). No recurrence was observed 12 months after the end of treatment, nor did we observe any obvious side effects from itraconazole. Therefore, we recommend this as a treatment method for chytridiomycosis and as an elimination technique for use in captive amphibians.