White Nose Syndrome
A Caver’s Perspective
Hazel A. Barton, Ph.D.
Ashland Endowed Professor of Integrative Science
Associate 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 know
Bats 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
Mastodon
African Elephant
Dogs and Humans
Rhinoceros
Hippopotamus
Blehert et al., (2009) Science 323:227
Geomyces: What we know
• 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 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
Decontamination Issues
80+ agents
Testing
Spore-only assays
Using 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
Decontamination Issues
Cave relevant materials
Decontamination Issues
Plate
Agent C
Two Months
Geomyces pannorum
Control
Agent C
Large Scale Treatments
• What about if we decontaminate
caves?
Entrance Zone
Heterotrophic Interactions
Competitive exclusion
Bacterial dominance
Role of Fungi
Role of Fungi
Geochemically driven Autotrophy
Mutualistic Interactions
Archaeal dominance
The Depths
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
Xenobiotic
Organism
Chemical
Biological
Geochemical
conditions
Antifungal agents
bacterial
fungal
Nutrient sequestration
Resource competition
Oligotrophy
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
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Novel organisms
Novel antibiotics
Novel polymers
Novel bioremediation strategies
CO2 sequestration
Planetary protection strategies
Unique geochemical interactions
Acknowledgements
Barton Lab
Brandon Heineke, Alexis Henry,
Elizabeth Shelly and Tim Williams
On Rope 1
Inner Mountain Outfitters
Sterling Ropes, Bluewater,
PMI
Staff at Diamond Caverns
Staff at Carlsbad Caverns NP
Staff at Mammoth Cave NP
Staff at Wind Cave NP
Funding