David S. Blehert, PhDUSGS – National Wildlife Health Center

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

White Nose Syndrome:

An Emerging Fungal Pathogen?

Download At:

www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/index.jsp

What is White-Nose Syndrome?

Photo by J. Reichard, Boston University Photo by A. Hicks, NY DEC

CHALLENGE: Identify the White Fungusand/or Other Pathogen(s)

Photo by N. Heaslip, NY DEC

Parasitology, Virology, and Bacteriology

• Parasitology: Disease causing parasites not found.

• Virology: No known viral pathogens identified.

• Bacteriology: No consistent findings.

Circumstantial Case from Direct Observation

Fixed Bat Muzzle SkinNYS DOH

Photo by D. Springer and M. Behr

Direct Scraping from BatNYS DOH

Photo by M. Behr

Fixed Bat Muzzle SkinNYS DOH

Photo by D. Springer and M. Behr

Direct Scraping from BatNYS DOH

Photo by M. Behr

NWHC Cold IsolatePhoto by D. Blehert, NWHC

Circumstantial Case from Direct Observation

Fungal Biology – Mycology

• Requires cold for growth.

• It cannot grow at room temperature.

• Common on sick bats.

• Absent from healthy bats.

• All isolates are identical.

• Fungus is a new species of Geomyces.

Photo by A. Klein, NWHC

Histopathology

Bat Wings – In addition toflight, they are critical for:

• Heat Dissipation• Water Control• Gas Exchange• Blood Pressure Regulation

Photos by C. Meteyer, NWHC

WNS: A European Connection?

Hungary

RomaniaPhoto: Szilard Bucs

Switzerland

Netherlands

Photo: Tamas Gorfol

Photo: Anne Jifke-Haarsma

Infection Trial• Torpid little brown bats housed in mesh enclosures in refrigerators at 7C.

• Three treatment groups – each in an individual refrigerator in a dedicated isolation room within a shower-out BSL-3 facility.

• Each bat wears an iBBat archival temperature logger.

Soil Sampling Project

• Collect soil samples from approximately 100 caves in the eastern US.

• Screen samples for the WNS-associated fungus.

Future Directions• Determine the origin of the WNS fungus.

• Predict potential for future WNS spread.

• Can WNS be contained?

• Can WNS be controlled? Investigate biological or chemical control strategies.

• Continue to develop a better understanding of the disease.

• Identify bat survival strategies – Are there resistant bats?