Nutritional Capability of and Substrate Suitability for Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the Causal Agent of Bat White-Nose Syndrome

Abstract

Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causal agent of bat white-nose syndrome, has caused nearly six million deaths in North American bats since its introduction into the United States in 2006. Current research has shown that caves can harbor P. destructans even after the infected bats are removed and bats no longer visit or inhabit previously infected caves. Our research focuses on elucidating reservoir requirements by investigating the nutritional capabilities of and substrate suitability requirements for six different P. destructans isolates from various localities including Illinois, Indiana, New York (Type specimen), and Pennsylvania. Enzyme assays implicate that both urease and b-glucosidase appear to be constitutive, lipase and esterase activity were more rapid than proteinase activity on 6% gelatin, gelatin degradation was accompanied by medium alkalinization, the reduction of thiosulfate generated hydrogen sulfide gas, chitinase and manganese dependent peroxidase activity were not visually demonstrated within eight weeks, and keratinase activity was not evident at pH 8 within eight weeks. We demonstrate that all P. destructans isolates are capable of growth and sporulation on dead fish, insect, and mushroom tissues. Sole nitrogen source assays demonstrated that all P. destructans isolates exhibit Class 2 nitrogen utilization and that growth-dependent interactions occur among different pH and nitrogen sources. Substrate suitability assays demonstrated that all isolates could grow and sporulate on media ranging from pH 5–11 and tolerated media supplemented with 2000 mg/L of calcium and 700 mg/L of three separated sulfur compounds: thiosulfate L-cysteine, and sulfite. All isolates were intolerant to PEG-induced matric potential with delayed germination and growth at −2.5 MPa with no visible germination at −5 MPa. Interestingly, decreasing the surface tension with Tween 80 permitted germination and growth of P. destructans in −5 MPa PEG medium within 14 days suggesting a link between substrate suitability and aqueous surface tension altering substances.

Long-Term Persistence of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the Causative Agent of White-Nose Syndrome, in the Absence of Bats

“…Pseudogymnoascus destructans is capable of growing saprophytically on a wide variety of substrates (Raudabaugh and Miller 2013;Reynolds and Barton 2014). Our results also suggest that P. destructans may be able to survive outside hibernacula on equipment or clothing (e.g., caving gear) if they are stored in cool dry conditions, and this could increase inadvertent spread to new locations (Shelley et al 2013).…”

Detecting viable Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Ascomycota: Pseudeurotiaceae) from walls

“…DNA from various organisms is able to persist long term in the environment, as shown by its recovery from paleontological remains, but the limit of persistence of non-viable Pd DNA in bat hibernacula is unknown. Viable Pd is known to persist in hibernacula soil in the absence of bats (Lorch et al, 2013), and it may be able to propagate as a saprobe (Raudabaugh and Miller, 2013). Reynolds et al (2015) successfully grew Pd on a variety of sterilized sediments from caves in the laboratory.…”

The natural history, ecology, and epidemiology of Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and its potential impact on free-ranging snake populations

“…While infections have been observed with great frequency in pitvipers (Cheatwood et al, 2003;Allender et al, 2011;Clark et al, 2011;Smith et al, 2013;Tetzlaff et al, 2015), there are numerous reports of CANV or SFD in nonvenomous colubrid snakes (Jacobson, 1980;Vissiennon et al, 1999;Nichols et al, 1999;Bertelsen et al, 2005;Rajeev et al, 2009;Dolinski et al, 2014). The manifestation of SFD in North American colubrids snakes is variable and has included pneumonia, ocular infections, and subcutaneous nodules (Rajeev et al, 2009;Sleeman, 2013;Dolinski et al, 2014).…”

“…The manifestation of SFD in North American colubrids snakes is variable and has included pneumonia, ocular infections, and subcutaneous nodules (Rajeev et al, 2009;Sleeman, 2013;Dolinski et al, 2014). A case of O. ophiodiicola was observed in a captive black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) with a subcutaneous nodule (Rajeev et al, 2009).…”

“…The manifestation of SFD in North American colubrids snakes is variable and has included pneumonia, ocular infections, and subcutaneous nodules (Rajeev et al, 2009;Sleeman, 2013;Dolinski et al, 2014). A case of O. ophiodiicola was observed in a captive black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) with a subcutaneous nodule (Rajeev et al, 2009). In addition, mycosis was observed in the skin as well as a more systemic invasion involving the lungs and eye (one case) and lungs and liver (one case) of garter snakes (Vissiennon et al, 1999;Dolinski et al, 2014).…”