Bat White-Nose Syndrome: An Emerging Fungal Pathogen?

Abstract

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a condition associated with an unprecedented bat mortality event in the northeastern United States. Since the winter of 2006*2007, bat declines exceeding 75% have been observed at surveyed hibernacula. Affected bats often present with visually striking white fungal growth on their muzzles, ears, and/or wing membranes. Direct microscopy and culture analyses demonstrated that the skin of WNS-affected bats is colonized by a psychrophilic fungus that is phylogenetically related to Geomyces spp. but with a conidial morphology distinct from characterized members of this genus. This report characterizes the cutaneous fungal infection associated with WNS.

Living strategy of cold-adapted fungi with the reference to several representative species

“…A visually conspicuous white fungus grows on the face, ears or wings of stricken bats; infiltration of the hyphae into membranes and tissues leads to severe damage (Meteyer et al 2009). Bats that exhibit WNS have little or no fat reserves, which are essential for their survival throughout and after hibernation (Blehert et al 2009). Although recent work on fungi associated with bat hibernacula uncovered many species of Geomyces and allies, including Geomyces, Gymnostellatospora and Pseudogymnoascus in the family Pseudeurotiaceae, P. destructans was demonstrated as unique pathogen of bats.…”

Spread of white-nose syndrome on a network regulated by geography and climate

“…White-nose syndrome (WNS), a highly pathogenic infectious disease caused by the cryophilic fungus Geomyces destructans, has emerged in North American Vespertilionid bats, and is currently spreading [4][5][6][7] throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. WNS was first observed in 2006 in Schoharie County, NY, and within 2 years spread to 15 counties within a B230 km radius 4 .…”

“…White-nose syndrome (WNS), a highly pathogenic infectious disease caused by the cryophilic fungus Geomyces destructans, has emerged in North American Vespertilionid bats, and is currently spreading [4][5][6][7] throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. WNS was first observed in 2006 in Schoharie County, NY, and within 2 years spread to 15 counties within a B230 km radius 4 . The speed of this spread, together with early reports of mass mortality in infected caves, has generated concern about massive depletion of currently common bat species, attendant loss of economic services, and transmission to vulnerable populations of threatened and endangered species 5,[8][9][10] .…”

Potential for spread of the white-nose fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) in the Americas: use of Maxent and NicheA to assure strict model transference

“…The fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (also called Geomyces destructans) is related to saprophytic coldgrowing species but produces cutaneous infections in bats (Blehert et al, 2009;Minnis and Lindner, 2013). Evidence of this new disease was established in North American in early 2006; infected bats displayed a white fungal growth in mouth, muzzle, ears and wings (Blehert et al, 2009).…”