Affiliation:
1. Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
2. Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, 34095 Montpellier, France
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases rank among the most important threats to human and wildlife health. A comprehensive understanding of the mode of infection and presence of potential reservoirs is critical for the development of effective counter strategies. Fungal pathogens can remain viable in environmental reservoirs for extended periods of time before infecting susceptible individuals. This may be the case for
Pseudogymnoascus destructans
(
Pd
), the causative agent of bat white-nose disease. Owing to its cold-loving nature, this fungal pathogen only grows on bats during hibernation, when their body temperature is reduced. Bats only spend part of their life cycle in hibernation and do not typically show signs of infection in summer, raising the question of whether
Pd
remains viable in hibernacula during this period (roughly six months). If so, this could facilitate the re-infection of bats when they return to the sites the following winter. In a laboratory experiment, we determined the germination rate of
Pd
spores kept under constant conditions on a wall-like substrate, over the course of two years. Results showed that the seasonal pattern in
Pd
germination mirrored the life cycle of the bats, with an increased germination rate at times when hibernating bats would naturally be present and lower germination rates during their absence. We suggest that
Pd
is dependent on the presence of hibernating bats and has therefore coupled its germination rate to host availability. Furthermore, we demonstrate that
Pd
spores survive extended periods of host absence and can remain viable for at least two years. There is, however, a strong decrease in spore viability between the first and second years (98%).
Pd
viability for at least two years on a solid mineral-based substrate establishes the potential for environmental reservoirs in hibernacula walls and has strong implications for the efficacy of certain management strategies (e.g. bat culling).
Funder
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Bat Conservation International
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
Cited by
10 articles.
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