White Nose Syndrome in Bats Spreading Rapidly

            I have been on one cave exploration; however reading this article has made me think twice about stepping into another cave. The idea that caves carry the fungus psedogymnoascus destructans that can infect bats, has made me think twice. The results displayed in the research article by Raudabaugh and Miller determined pseudogymnoascus destructans (P. destructans) could grow on a range of surfaces. P. destructans can live on carbon sources such as, undigested insect particles, dead fungi and wood. P. destructans can grow at different pH levels, however extremely acidic conditions inhibit the growth. The only limitations of the fungus are the increased temperature and taking up water. Temperatures above 20° C inhibit growth and the fungus has decreased ability to absorb water from surfaces. The results indicated a majority of the infections occur in caves where bats hibernate. The P. destructans can live for extended periods of time in caves even after bats have evacuated the cave after hibernation.   

            P. destructans is a fungus that causes white nose syndrome in bats, the fungus causes skin lesions. P. destructans can break down keratin in skin, it can also break down protein and urea that produces an alkaline environment. The alkaline environment can burn holes in the bats skin, and leave the bats susceptible to secondary infections. During hibernation bats have decreased body temperatures and suppressed immune systems. Therefore, hibernation makes bats more susceptible to infection. Once bats come out of hibernation the fungus is expelled, because body temperature increases and the immune system resume normal functioning. 

            The fungus, P. destructans can spread readily easily between bat especially during hibernation in infected caves. The fungus could be endangering the bat species if the fungus continues to spread rapidly. Research needs to be conducted on reducing the spread of the fungus and treatments to kill the fungus in caves.  

           

By Al Hicks brown bat with white nose syndrome 

References: 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2103, October 25). Fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats proves hardy survivor. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 4, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131025091942.htm

Daniel B. Raudabaugh, Andrew N. Miller. Nutritional Capability of and Substrate Suitability for Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the Causal Agent of Bat White-Nose Syndrome. PLoS ONE, 2013; 8(10). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078300