Experimental infection of bats with Geomyces destructans causes white-nose syndrome

Jeffrey M. Lorch, Carol U. Meteyer, Melissa J. Behr, Justin G. Boyles, Paul M. Cryan, Alan C. Hicks, Anne E. Ballmann, Jeremy T. H. Coleman, David N. Redell, DeeAnn M. Reeder and David S. Blehert ()
Additional contact information
Jeffrey M. Lorch: Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Carol U. Meteyer: National Wildlife Health Center, US Geological Survey
Melissa J. Behr: Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Justin G. Boyles: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
Paul M. Cryan: Fort Collins Science Center, US Geological Survey
Alan C. Hicks: New York Department of Environmental Conservation
Anne E. Ballmann: National Wildlife Health Center, US Geological Survey
Jeremy T. H. Coleman: US Fish and Wildlife Service
David N. Redell: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
DeeAnn M. Reeder: Bucknell University
David S. Blehert: National Wildlife Health Center, US Geological Survey

Nature, 2011, vol. 480, issue 7377, 376-378

Abstract: Bats with a nose for trouble Hibernating wild bat populations in eastern North America have suffered catastrophic decline in recent years as a result of white-nose syndrome (WNS). Colonization of the skin — on the eponymous nose — with the fungus Geomyces destructans has been linked to the disease, but other factors have been suggested as alternative causes. In a controlled experiment, it is now shown that G. destructans does infect bats, that it can be transmitted between animals and that infection causes WNS. This contrasts with recent reports that G. destructans is widespread among bats in Europe, where it seems to have no detrimental effects on carriers.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature10590

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