Skin Microbiota Variation Among Bat Species in China and Their Potential Defense Against Pathogens

Li, Zhongle; Li, Aoqiang; Dai, Wentao; Leng, Haixia; Liu, Sen; Jin, Longru; Sun, Keping; Jiang, Feng

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.808788

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…Interestingly, Serratia isolates produce mainly keratinases and collagenases [63,64], suggesting that Serratia may hypothetically "prepare" the skin for the fungus. These bacteria are also known to produce prodigiosines [65], which are reported to have antibacterial, immunosuppressive and cellular apoptosis-inducing properties, which might further deteriorate the skin condition. Our results showed no statistical difference in the success of P. destructans cultivation from wing membrane biopsies in the presence of Serratia spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher white-nose syndrome fungal isolate yields from UV-guided wing biopsies compared with skin swabs and optimal culture media

et al. 2023

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Background North American bat populations have suffered severe declines over the last decade due to the Pseudogymnoascus destructans fungus infection. The skin disease associated with this causative agent, known as white-nose syndrome (WNS), is specific to bats hibernating in temperate regions. As cultured fungal isolates are required for epidemiological and phylogeographical studies, the purpose of the present work was to compare the efficacy and reliability of different culture approaches based on either skin swabs or wing membrane tissue biopsies for obtaining viable fungal isolates of P. destructans. Results In total, we collected and analysed 69 fungal and 65 bacterial skin swabs and 51 wing membrane tissue biopsies from three bat species in the Czech Republic, Poland and the Republic of Armenia. From these, we obtained 12 viable P. destructans culture isolates. Conclusions Our results indicated that the efficacy of cultures based on wing membrane biopsies were significantly higher. Cultivable samples tended to be based on collections from bats with lower body surface temperature and higher counts of UV-visualised lesions. While cultures based on both skin swabs and wing membrane tissue biopsies can be utilised for monitoring and surveillance of P. destructans in bat populations, wing membrane biopsies guided by UV light for skin lesions proved higher efficacy. Interactions between bacteria on the host's skin also appear to play an important role.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher white-nose syndrome fungal isolate yields from UV-guided wing biopsies compared with skin swabs and optimal culture media

et al. 2023

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“…Altogether, only seven studies have been published about the skin microbiome of Palearctic bats. Among these, five were descriptive [63][64][65][66][67] and two experimental [49,62]. Four took place in China [49,63,64,66], while the remaining three were conducted in Germany [62], Poland/Armenia [65], and Belgium [67].…”

Section: I) Has the Protective Skin Microbiome Of Hibernating Animals...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these, five were descriptive [63][64][65][66][67] and two experimental [49,62]. Four took place in China [49,63,64,66], while the remaining three were conducted in Germany [62], Poland/Armenia [65], and Belgium [67]. Out of these, only five publications sampled hibernating bats [49,[63][64][65][66], while one study sampled active bats and the wall of the hibernacula [67], and one acquired the symbiont tested against Pd from the environment (not bat skin) [62].…”

Section: I) Has the Protective Skin Microbiome Of Hibernating Animals...mentioning

confidence: 99%

When the host’s away, the pathogen will play: the protective role of the skin microbiome during hibernation

Troitsky,

Laine,

Lilley

2023

Preprint

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The skin of animals is enveloped by a symbiotic microscopic ecosystem known as the microbiome. The host and microbiome exhibit a mutualistic relationship, collectively forming a single evolutionary unit sometimes referred to as a holobiont. Although the holobiome theory highlights the importance of the microbiome, little is known about how the skin microbiome contributes to protecting the host. Existing studies focus on humans or captive animals, but research in wild animals is in its infancy. Specifically, the protective role of the skin microbiome in hibernating animals remains almost entirely overlooked. This is surprising, considering the massive population declines in hibernating North American bats caused by the fungal pathogenPseudogymnoascus destructans, which causes white-nose syndrome. Hibernation offers a unique setting in which to study the function of the microbiome because, during torpor, the host’s immune system becomes suppressed, making it susceptible to infection. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on the protective role of the skin microbiome in non-human animals. We selected 230 publications that mentioned pathogen inhibition by microbes residing on the skin of the host animal. We found that the majority of studies were conducted in North America and focused on the bacterial microbiome of amphibians infected by the chytrid fungus. Despite mentioning pathogen inhibition by the skin microbiome, only 30,4 % of studies experimentally tested the actual antimicrobial activity of symbionts. Additionally, only 7,8 % of all publications studied defensive cutaneous symbionts during hibernation. With this review, we want to highlight the knowledge gap surrounding skin microbiome research in hibernating animals. For instance, research looking to mitigate the effects of white-nose syndrome in bats should focus on the antifungal microbiome of Palearctic bats, as they survive exposure to thePseudogymnoascus destructans-pathogen during hibernation. We also recommend future studies prioritize lesser-known microbial symbionts, such as fungi, and investigate the effects of a combination of anti-pathogen microbes, as both areas of research show promise as probiotic treatments. By incorporating the protective skin microbiome into disease mitigation strategies, conservation efforts can be made more effective.

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“…Staphylococcus aureus foi isolado da pele de uma população de vida livre do morcego frugívoro Pteropus livingstonii na República de Comores(FOUNTAIN et al, 2022). Além disso, a microbiota da pele de espécies de morcegos na China foi avaliada pelo sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA e revelou a presença de Staphylococcus spp (LI et al, 2022)…”

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>b<Influência do gradiente urbano-rural na quiropterofauna e o risco associado à transmissão de patógenos>/b<

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Agradeço ao meu orientador, Ricardo, pela idealização do projeto, pela orientação em todos esse anos, por todo apoio logístico, pela parceria em campo, pelas aulas, por todas as conversas e pela amizade.Aos parceiros do projeto Beatriz, Juliana, Natália e Tiago, por todas as noites incríveis de campo, das com muitos bichos até as com frio e fogueira. E aos colegas de laboratório Washington, Gisele e Lilian, pela ajuda nos procedimento laboratoriais.Principalmente à minha família, meus pais e meu irmão, pelo apoio incondicional. Minha esposa, Karin, por inúmeros tipos de ajuda, e por me propiciar a experiência mais feliz da minha vida. Meu filho, Raul, por cada sorriso e soneca no meu colo.Às pessoas que permitiram o acesso aos locais utilizados para as coletas dos morcegos. Ao Danilo pelo acesso na reserva do Morro Grande, ao Lama Norbu pelo acesso à Floresta Nagmo, à Adriana pelo acesso ao Centro Esportivo, ao síndico do condomínio e aos proficionais da USP.O presente trabalho foi realizado com apoio da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior -Brasil (CAPES) -Código de financiamento 001. "Ninguém ignora tudo. Ninguém sabe tudo. Todos nós sabemos alguma coisa. Todos nós ignoramos alguma coisa. Por isso aprendemos sempre." Paulo Freire RESUMO BRITO, J. E. C. Influência do gradiente urbanorural na quiropterofauna e o risco associado à transmissão de patógenos. 2023. 94p. Tese (Doutorado em Ciências) -

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Skin Microbiota Variation Among Bat Species in China and Their Potential Defense Against Pathogens

Cited by 7 publications

References 86 publications

Higher white-nose syndrome fungal isolate yields from UV-guided wing biopsies compared with skin swabs and optimal culture media

Higher white-nose syndrome fungal isolate yields from UV-guided wing biopsies compared with skin swabs and optimal culture media

When the host’s away, the pathogen will play: the protective role of the skin microbiome during hibernation

>b<Influência do gradiente urbano-rural na quiropterofauna e o risco associado à transmissão de patógenos>/b<

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