white nose syndrome a caver’s perspective hazel a. barton, ph.d. ashland endowed professor of...
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White Nose SyndromeA Caver’s Perspective
Hazel A. Barton, Ph.D.
Ashland Endowed Professor of Integrative ScienceAssociate Professor of Biological Sciences
Northern Kentucky University
WNS: What we know• White Nose Syndrome is manifested by a white,
powdery-like substance on the muzzle of infected bats
Blehert et al., (2009) Science 323:227
WNS: What we knowBats with WNS have much shorter torpor bouts
– This leads to a loss of reserves– Death comes from starvation or trying to find food during cold
weather
WNS: What we know
• Using phylogenetic analysis, the fungus (Geomyces destructans) is a newly identified member of the Geomyces.
Blehert et al., (2009) Science 323:227
Mammoth
Asian Elephant
African Elephant
Mastodon
Rhinoceros
Hippopotamus
Dogs and Humans
Blehert et al., (2009) Science 323:227
• Geomyces sp. have been described in a number of cave habitats, including:– Guano, isopod clasts, earthworms casts, cave
air, aragonite deposits, speleothems, sediments (caves do not contain soils)
– Tourist areas• Temperature range currently appears to be 10.2
– 12.0 ˚C• Not found as component bat fauna (France)• Geomyces spread by birds (Antarctica study)
Geomyces: What we know
Geomyces sp.: What we know
• Is structurally different from previously known Geomyces sp.
Blehert et al., (2009) Science 323:227
WNS: What we don’t know
• Is this fungus:– A new variant (a genetic change has led to
the emergence of a new strain/species)– A xenobiotic species (an invasive species that
has been introduced)
• Is this fungus:– A true pathogen (disease in healthy bats)– An opportunistic pathogen (takes advantage
of an immune suppressed bat)– Can be determined by Koch’s Postulates
WNS: If it is a true pathogen
• What is the multiplicity of infection (MOI)– What is the minimum number of spores
required for disease?– How many spores are found in cave air?– How many spores can be picked during
a caving trip?
WNS: If it is an opportunistic pathogen
• Underlying factors may be important:– Loss of chitinase activity– Loss of insect populations (WNV)– Use of different pesticides (WNV)– Climate change– Bat AIDS– Change in cave microbial ecosystems
WNS: If it is a frank pathogen• Control measures need to be evaluated
80+ agents
Dec
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Spore-only assaysUsing G. pannorum, G, desructans, Aspergillus, Penicillium
Three assays:• Disk diffusion – susceptibility
• Issues related to media• Role of geochemistry
• Total colony forming units (from 5 x 105 spores)• Germination assay
Testing
Decontamination Issues
Cave relevant materials
Plate
Agent C
Dec
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Tw
o M
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Control Agent C
Geomyces pannorum
Large Scale Treatments
• What about if we decontaminate caves?
Entrance Zone
The Depths
Heterotrophic InteractionsCompetitive exclusionBacterial dominance
Geochemically driven AutotrophyMutualistic Interactions
Archaeal dominance
Role of Fungi
Role of Fungi
Cave Microbiology: Fungi
• Natural members of cave microflora
• Appear highly diverse
• Break down rock (sugaring):
• Mechanically
• Chemically
• Play a role in nutrient acquisition
• Impacted by geochemistry
• Well adapted to oligotrophy
Barriers to Colonization
XenobioticOrganism
Chemical
Geochemicalconditions
Oligotrophy
Biological
Antifungal agentsbacterialfungal
Nutrient sequestrationResource competition
Summary
• Still investigating origins of G. destructans
• Still need to confirm whether this is a true pathogen
• Good idea on methods of decontamination
• Some ideas about in situ treatments
• In situ treatments need to be specific
Positive Effects of Cave Microbiology
• Novel organisms
• Novel antibiotics
• Novel polymers
• Novel bioremediation strategies
• CO2 sequestration
• Planetary protection strategies
• Unique geochemical interactions
Acknowledgements
Staff at Diamond CavernsStaff at Carlsbad Caverns NPStaff at Mammoth Cave NP
Staff at Wind Cave NP
Funding
Barton LabBrandon Heineke, Alexis Henry, Elizabeth Shelly and Tim Williams
On Rope 1Inner Mountain Outfitters
Sterling Ropes, Bluewater,PMI