Objectives Chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is one of the most devastating fungal diseases affecting amphibians worldwide. This study aimed to design an in silico protein‐based treatment targeting Bd and pathogenic bacteria associated with the skin microbiota of four Bd‐infected salamander species. Methods Pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms present in the skin microbiota were identified, and those common across all four species were selected for further analysis. A shared molecular target among the common bacterial pathogens was identified, and structural prediction models were used to search for compatible amino acid sequences. Short peptide sequences with previously predicted biological functions were retrieved from a curated database and evaluated for their antimicrobial and antifungal properties, followed by molecular docking assays to select the most promising candidates. Results A single protein‐based molecule with therapeutic potential against both Bd and the identified pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria within the skin microbiota of Bd‐infected salamanders was confirmed across all species studied. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of considering both the fungal pathogen and the associated microbiota when developing treatments for chytridiomycosis, though experimental validation remains necessary before potential application in wildlife conservation programs.
Ramírez-Villarreal et al. (Thu,) studied this question.