Harnessing the Microbiome to Prevent Fungal Infections: Lessons from Amphibians

All multicellular organisms are host to microbial symbionts that constitute the microbiome and can have significant impacts on the host, including altering development, behavior, and health [1]. In turn, aspects of the host and their environment can influence the microbiome [2]. Here, we briefly summarize current knowledge of the amphibian skin microbiome and its role in heath and disease. Given the increase in fungal diseases that now threaten amphibians and other wildlife—including bees, bats, snakes, and corals, as well as a variety of economically important crops [3]—we hope that lessons learned from amphibian host–microbe interactions can also ultimately be applied in other systems (Fig 1).