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Volume 15
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10.3390/pathogens15030286
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Article

Carcass-Based Surveillance of Amphibian Herpesviruses, Ranaviruses and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany

by
Natalie Steiner
1,*,
Lotte C. Striewe
1,
Christoph Leineweber
2,
Sara Grau Camps
1,
Peter Wohlsein
3,
Frederik Elze
4,
Simon Rohner
1,†,
Rachel E. Marschang
2 and
Ursula Siebert
1
1
Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761 Buesum, Germany
2
Laboklin GmbH & Co., KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany
3
Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
4
Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
Current address: Frankfurt Zoo, Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Pathogens 2026, 15(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030286
Submission received: 22 January 2026 / Revised: 26 February 2026 / Accepted: 3 March 2026 / Published: 6 March 2026
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Abstract

Amphibian populations are undergoing dramatic global declines, with infectious diseases recognized as major contributors. While chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and disease caused by ranaviruses are well known, herpesviruses in amphibians remain comparatively neglected. We conducted a passive survey using carcasses collected between 2022 and 2025 in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany. Dead amphibians (n = 187) were dissected. Skin, kidney, liver, and brain samples were screened for Bd, ranaviruses, bufonid herpesvirus 1 (BfHV1), and ranid herpesvirus 3 (RaHV3) by PCR. BfHV1 was detected in nearly half of the Bufo bufo (common toads; 48.6%), while RaHV3 was identified in 23.6% of the Rana temporaria (common frogs) examined. Bd was detected in a single B. bufo, while ranaviruses were not detected. BfHV1 was present in skin, liver, kidney, and brain samples, whereas RaHV3 was detected exclusively in skin samples. No macroscopical or histological lesions characteristic of herpesviruses or Bd were found. However, the carcass-based approach frequently limited detailed examination due to compromised sample quality. Our findings confirm the presence of amphibian herpesviruses (BfHV1 and RaHV3) in the region without associated lesions, raising questions about their potential to cause systemic infections. Furthermore, our results highlight the limitations of carcass-based surveillance and underscore the need for complementary diagnostic approaches, such as immunohistochemistry and meta-omics.
Keywords: amphibian disease surveillance; post-mortem diagnostics; amphibian herpesviruses; chytridiomycosis; ranaviruses; common toad; Bufo bufo; common frog; Rana temporaria amphibian disease surveillance; post-mortem diagnostics; amphibian herpesviruses; chytridiomycosis; ranaviruses; common toad; Bufo bufo; common frog; Rana temporaria

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MDPI and ACS Style

Steiner, N.; Striewe, L.C.; Leineweber, C.; Camps, S.G.; Wohlsein, P.; Elze, F.; Rohner, S.; Marschang, R.E.; Siebert, U. Carcass-Based Surveillance of Amphibian Herpesviruses, Ranaviruses and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany. Pathogens 2026, 15, 286. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030286

AMA Style

Steiner N, Striewe LC, Leineweber C, Camps SG, Wohlsein P, Elze F, Rohner S, Marschang RE, Siebert U. Carcass-Based Surveillance of Amphibian Herpesviruses, Ranaviruses and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany. Pathogens. 2026; 15(3):286. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030286

Chicago/Turabian Style

Steiner, Natalie, Lotte C. Striewe, Christoph Leineweber, Sara Grau Camps, Peter Wohlsein, Frederik Elze, Simon Rohner, Rachel E. Marschang, and Ursula Siebert. 2026. "Carcass-Based Surveillance of Amphibian Herpesviruses, Ranaviruses and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany" Pathogens 15, no. 3: 286. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030286

APA Style

Steiner, N., Striewe, L. C., Leineweber, C., Camps, S. G., Wohlsein, P., Elze, F., Rohner, S., Marschang, R. E., & Siebert, U. (2026). Carcass-Based Surveillance of Amphibian Herpesviruses, Ranaviruses and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany. Pathogens, 15(3), 286. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030286

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