scholarly journals Trichoderma polysporum selectively inhibits white-nose syndrome fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans amidst soil microbes

Microbiome ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanpreet Singh ◽  
Erica Lasek-Nesselquist ◽  
Vishnu Chaturvedi ◽  
Sudha Chaturvedi
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Soil Microbes ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
White Nose Syndrome

scholarly journals Phylogenetics of a Fungal Invasion: Origins and Widespread Dispersal of White-Nose Syndrome

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin P. Drees ◽  
Jeffrey M. Lorch ◽  
Sebastien J. Puechmaille ◽  
Katy L. Parise ◽  
Gudrun Wibbelt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
North America ◽  
North American ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Recent Introduction ◽  
White Nose Syndrome ◽  
The North

ABSTRACT Globalization has facilitated the worldwide movement and introduction of pathogens, but epizoological reconstructions of these invasions are often hindered by limited sampling and insufficient genetic resolution among isolates. Pseudogymnoascus destructans , a fungal pathogen causing the epizootic of white-nose syndrome in North American bats, has exhibited few genetic polymorphisms in previous studies, presenting challenges for both epizoological tracking of the spread of this fungus and for determining its evolutionary history. We used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from whole-genome sequencing and microsatellites to construct high-resolution phylogenies of P. destructans . Shallow genetic diversity and the lack of geographic structuring among North American isolates support a recent introduction followed by expansion via clonal reproduction across the epizootic zone. Moreover, the genetic relationships of isolates within North America suggest widespread mixing and long-distance movement of the fungus. Genetic diversity among isolates of P. destructans from Europe was substantially higher than in those from North America. However, genetic distance between the North American isolates and any given European isolate was similar to the distance between the individual European isolates. In contrast, the isolates we examined from Asia were highly divergent from both European and North American isolates. Although the definitive source for introduction of the North American population has not been conclusively identified, our data support the origin of the North American invasion by P. destructans from Europe rather than Asia. IMPORTANCE This phylogenetic study of the bat white-nose syndrome agent, P. destructans , uses genomics to elucidate evolutionary relationships among populations of the fungal pathogen to understand the epizoology of this biological invasion. We analyze hypervariable and abundant genetic characters (microsatellites and genomic SNPs, respectively) to reveal previously uncharacterized diversity among populations of the pathogen from North America and Eurasia. We present new evidence supporting recent introduction of the fungus to North America from a diverse Eurasian population, with limited increase in genetic variation in North America since that introduction.

The cutaneous microbiota of bats has in vitro antifungal activity against the white nose pathogen

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Grisnik ◽  
Olivia Bowers ◽  
Andrew J Moore ◽  
Benjamin F Jones ◽  
Joshua R Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
Bacterial Assemblage ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
White Nose Syndrome ◽  
Microbial Assemblage ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Throughput Dna Sequencing

ABSTRACT Since its introduction into the USA, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungal pathogen of white-nose syndrome, has killed millions of bats. Recently, bacteria capable of inhibiting the growth of Pd have been identified within bat microbial assemblages, leading to increased interest in elucidating bacterial assemblage-pathogen interactions. Our objectives were to determine if bat cutaneous bacteria have antifungal activity against Pd, and correlate differences in the bat cutaneous microbiota with the presence/absence of Pd. We hypothesized that the cutaneous microbiota of bats is enriched with antifungal bacteria, and that the skin assemblage will correlate with Pd status. To test this, we sampled bat microbiota, adjacent roost surfaces and soil from Pd positive caves to infer possible overlap of antifungal taxa, we tested these bacteria for bioactivity in vitro, and lastly compared bacterial assemblages using both amplicon and shotgun high-throughput DNA sequencing. Results suggest that the presence of Pd has an inconsistent influence on the bat cutaneous microbial assemblage across sites. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that corresponded with cultured antifungal bacteria were present within all sample types but were significantly more abundant on bat skin relative to the environment. Additionally, the microbial assemblage of Pd negative bats was found to have more OTUs that corresponded to antifungal taxa than positive bats, suggesting an interaction between the fungal pathogen and cutaneous microbial assemblage.

scholarly journals Resistance in persisting bat populations after white-nose syndrome invasion

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1712) ◽  
pp. 20160044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate E. Langwig ◽  
Joseph R. Hoyt ◽  
Katy L. Parise ◽  
Winifred F. Frick ◽  
Jeffrey T. Foster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
Myotis Lucifugus ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
White Nose Syndrome ◽  
The Face ◽  
Declining Populations ◽  
Little Brown Bat ◽  
Declining Species

Increases in anthropogenic movement have led to a rise in pathogen introductions and the emergence of infectious diseases in naive host communities worldwide. We combined empirical data and mathematical models to examine changes in disease dynamics in little brown bat ( Myotis lucifugus ) populations following the introduction of the emerging fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans , which causes the disease white-nose syndrome. We found that infection intensity was much lower in persisting populations than in declining populations where the fungus has recently invaded. Fitted models indicate that this is most consistent with a reduction in the growth rate of the pathogen when fungal loads become high. The data are inconsistent with the evolution of tolerance or an overall reduced pathogen growth rate that might be caused by environmental factors. The existence of resistance in some persisting populations of little brown bats offers a glimmer of hope that a precipitously declining species will persist in the face of this deadly pathogen. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Human influences on evolution, and the ecological and societal consequences’.

scholarly journals Use of Multiple Sequencing Technologies To Produce a High-Quality Genome of the Fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans , the Causative Agent of Bat White-Nose Syndrome

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin P. Drees ◽  
Jonathan M. Palmer ◽  
Robert Sebra ◽  
Jeffrey M. Lorch ◽  
Cynthia Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Reference Genome ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
Wildlife Diseases ◽  
White Nose Syndrome ◽  
Sequencing Technologies ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
High Quality Genome

White-nose syndrome has recently emerged as one of the most devastating wildlife diseases recorded, causing widespread mortality in numerous bat species throughout eastern North America. Here, we present an improved reference genome of the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans for use in comparative genomic studies.

Volatile organic compounds kill the white-nose syndrome fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, in hibernaculum sediment

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (10) ◽  
pp. 593-599
Author(s):  
Emma W. Micalizzi ◽  
Myron L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
White Nose Syndrome ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Fast Acting

Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome, has killed millions of bats across eastern North America and continues to threaten new bat populations. The spread and persistence of P. destructans has likely been worsened by the ability of this fungus to grow as a saprotroph in the hibernaculum environment. Reducing the environmental growth of P. destructans may improve bat survival. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are attractive candidates to target environmental P. destructans, as they can permeate through textured environments that may be difficult to thoroughly contact with other control mechanisms. We tested in hibernaculum sediment the performance of VOCs that were previously shown to inhibit P. destructans growth in agar cultures and examined the inhibition kinetics and specificity of these compounds. Three VOCs, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, and 1-pentanol, were fungicidal towards P. destructans in hibernaculum sediment, fast-acting, and had greater effects against P. destructans than other Pseudogymnoascus species. Our results suggest that use of these VOCs may be considered further as an effective management strategy to reduce the environmental exposure of bats to P. destructans in hibernacula.

scholarly journals Mobility and infectiousness in the spatial spread of an emerging fungal pathogen

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate E. Langwig ◽  
J. Paul White ◽  
Katy L. Parise ◽  
Heather M. Kaarakka ◽  
Jennifer A. Redell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
List Type ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
White Nose Syndrome

AbstractEmerging infectious diseases can have devastating effects on host communities, causing population collapse and species extinctions. The timing of novel pathogen arrival into naïve species communities can have consequential effects that shape the trajectory of epidemics through populations. Pathogen introductions are often presumed to occur when hosts are highly mobile. However, spread patterns can be influenced by a multitude of other factors including host body condition and infectiousness.White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a seasonal emerging infectious disease of bats, which is caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Within-site transmission of P. destructans primarily occurs over winter, however the influence of bat mobility and infectiousness on the seasonal timing of pathogen spread to new populations is unknown. We combined data on host population dynamics and pathogen transmission from 22 bat communities to investigate the timing of pathogen arrival and the consequences of varying pathogen arrival times on disease impacts.We found that midwinter arrival of the fungus predominated spread patterns, suggesting that bats were most likely to spread P. destructans when they are highly infectious, but have reduced mobility. In communities where P. destructans was detected in early winter, one species suffered higher fungal burdens and experienced more severe declines than at sites where the pathogen was detected later in the winter, suggesting that the timing of pathogen introduction had consequential effects for some bat communities. We also found evidence of source-sink population dynamics over winter, suggesting some movement among sites occurs during hibernation, even though bats at northern latitudes were thought to be fairly immobile during this period. Winter emergence behavior symptomatic of white-nose syndrome may further exacerbate these winter bat movements to uninfected areas.Our results suggest that low infectiousness during host migration may have reduced the rate of expansion of this deadly pathogen, and that elevated infectiousness during winter plays a key role in seasonal transmission. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of both accurate estimation of the timing of pathogen spread and the consequences of varying arrival times to prevent and mitigate the effects of infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Galleria mellonella as an Insect Model for P. destructans, the Cause of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chapman Beekman ◽  
Lauren Meckler ◽  
Eleanor Kim ◽  
Richard J. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
White Nose Syndrome ◽  
Throughput Model ◽  
Chemical Inhibitors ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractPseudogymnoascus destructans is the fungal pathogen responsible for White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a disease that has killed millions of bats in North America over the last decade. A major obstacle to research on P. destructans has been the lack of a tractable infection model for monitoring virulence. Here, we establish a high-throughput model of infection using larvae of Galleria mellonella, an invertebrate used to study host-pathogen interactions for a wide range of microbial species. We demonstrate that P. destructans can kill G. mellonella larvae in an inoculum-dependent manner when infected larvae are housed at 13°C or 18°C. Larval killing is an active process, as heat-killed P. destructans spores caused significantly decreased levels of larval death compared to live spores. We also show that fungal spores that were germinated prior to inoculation were able to kill larvae 3–4 times faster than non-germinated spores. Lastly, we identified chemical inhibitors of P. destructans and used G. mellonella to evaluate these inhibitors for their ability to reduce virulence. We demonstrate that two chemicals, trifluoperazine and amphotericin B, can effectively block larval killing by P. destructans and thereby establish that this infection model can be used to screen biocontrol agents against this fungal pathogen.

scholarly journals Pseudogymnoascus destructans growth in wood, soil and guano substrates

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Urbina ◽  
Tara Chestnut ◽  
Jennifer M. Allen ◽  
Taal Levi
Keyword(s):  
Dna Extraction ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans ◽  
White Nose Syndrome ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Pathogen Persistence ◽  
Tenfold Increase ◽  
And Control

AbstractUnderstanding how a pathogen can grow on different substrates and how this growth impacts its dispersal are critical to understanding the risks and control of emerging infectious diseases. Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in many bat species and can persist in, and transmit from, the environment. We experimentally evaluated Pd growth on common substrates to better understand mechanisms of pathogen persistence, transmission and viability. We inoculated autoclaved guano, fresh guano, soil, and wood with live Pd fungus and evaluated (1) whether Pd grows or persists on each (2) if spores of the fungus remain viable 4 months after inoculation on each substrate, and (3) whether detection and quantitation of Pd on swabs is sensitive to the choice to two commonly used DNA extraction kits. After inoculating each substrate with 460,000 Pd spores, we collected ~ 0.20 g of guano and soil, and swabs from wood every 16 days for 64 days to quantify pathogen load through time using real-time qPCR. We detected Pd on all substrates over the course of the experiment. We observed a tenfold increase in pathogen loads on autoclaved guano and persistence but not growth in fresh guano. Pathogen loads increased marginally on wood but declined ~ 60-fold in soil. After four months, apparently viable spores were harvested from all substrates but germination did not occur from fresh guano. We additionally found that detection and quantitation of Pd from swabs of wood surfaces is sensitive to the DNA extraction method. The commonly used PrepMan Ultra Reagent protocol yielded substantially less DNA than did the QIAGEN DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit. Notably the PrepMan Ultra Reagent failed to detect Pd in many wood swabs that were detected by QIAGEN and were subsequently found to contain substantial live conidia. Our results indicate that Pd can persist or even grow on common environmental substrates with results dependent on whether microbial competitors have been eliminated. Although we observed clear rapid declines in Pd on soil, viable spores were harvested four months after inoculation. These results suggest that environmental substrates and guano can in general serve as infectious environmental reservoirs due to long-term persistence, and even growth, of live Pd. This should inform management interventions to sanitize or modify structures to reduce transmission risk as well early detection rapid response (EDRR) planning.

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