Geomyces Destructans: Difference between revisions

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{{Biorealm Genus}}
{{Biorealm Genus}}


[[Image:20101017_175758_Bacilli.jpg|frame|300px|right|''A frozen group of Desulfurococcus mobilis: The image shows the tetragonal surface proteins in a grid arrangement''. Image from [http://jb.asm.org/cgi/reprint/169/12/5563.pdf.]]]
[[Image:20101017_175758_Bacilli.jpg|frame|300px|right|''Scanning electron micrograph of Geomyces destructans. Image courtesy of David Blehart, USGS National Wildlife Health Center.''. Image from [http://jb.asm.org/cgi/reprint/169/12/5563.pdf.]]]




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Kingdon: Fungi
Kingdon: Fungi
Subkingdom: Dikarya
Subkingdom: Dikarya
Phylum: Ascomycota
Phylum: Ascomycota
Subphylum: Pezizomycotina
Subphylum: Pezizomycotina
Class: Leotiomycetes
Class: Leotiomycetes
Order: Helotiales
Order: Helotiales
Family: Myxotrichaceae
Family: Myxotrichaceae
Genus: Geomyces
Species: Geomyces destructans


[http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Bacillus_anthracis''Bacillus anthracis''], ''Bacillus cereus'', ''Bacillus halodurans'', [http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Bacillus_subtilis''Bacillus subtilis''], [http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Bacillus_thuringiensis''Bacillus thuringiensis'']
Genus: ''Geomyces''  
 
Species: ''Geomyces destructans''


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'''NCBI: [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Undef&id=1386&lvl=3&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock Taxonomy] [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=Display&DB=genomeprj Genome]'''
'''NCBI: [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi] [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=Display&DB=genomeprj Genome]'''
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White Nose Syndrome in Bats Microbe Wicki Page:  http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/White_nose_syndrome_in_bats


==Description and Significance==
==Description and Significance==


[[Image:bacillus_detergent.jpg|frame|left| Detergent granules containing enzymes produced by ''Bacillus subtilis''. From [http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/success/en/pur/0291e.html Innovation in Europe]]] Bacilli are an extremely diverse group of bacteria that include both the causative agent of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) as well as several species that synthesize important antibiotics. In addition to medical uses, bacillus spores, due to their extreme tolerance to both heat and disinfectants, are used to test heat sterilization techniques and chemical disinfectants. Bacilli are also used in the detergent manufacturing industry for their ability to synthesize important enzymes. <br />
[[Image:bacillus_detergent.jpg|frame|left| Three little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) photographed by Alan Hicks (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) in Graphite Mine, New York, in November, 2008. Note the white fungus colonizing the muzzles and nostrils of all three bats. From [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83182/figure/nap13147.app1.f14/?report=objectonly]]] ''Geomyces destructans'' is a fungus thought to be responsible for the large number of bat deaths in New England over the last several years. It first presented itself in the US in 2006 and then in Europe specifically France, in 2009. Until recently ''G. destructans'' was thought to be a normal resident inhabiting bats around the world. Further research links this to “white nose syndrome,” and even more recent research shows a 100% match between the DNA of ''Geomyces destructans'' and the fungus found on the dead bats [1]. (Chaturvedi et al) Further study is needed on this subject; reachers do not seem to be sure if the fungus is stemming from pest control measures or how and why this has recently devastated bats around the world.
Since first observation near Albany, NY in 2006, white nose syndrome has decimated populations of cave-hibernating bats in the northeastern United States, with mortality rates of 75-95%. In 2009, the infection area extended from northeastern New Hampshire to southwestern Virginia and expanded into Tennessee and Canada in 2010 [2]. Outside of North America, ''Geomyces destructans'' has also been observed in colonized bats across Europe. It is not yet obvious how the infection is influencing the bat populations in Europe [10].
. <br />


==<br /> Genome Structure==


<br /> A total of 9075 genes coding for proteins have been sequenced for ''Geomyces destructans'' in a genome of 29,706,106 base pairs to code for them.  Liner mitochondrial DNA has also been sequenced but little information is available on genetic specifics at this time. (NCBI)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/''.


==Genome Structure==
==Metabolism==
[[Image:Carbon Sources.jpg|right|frame|Figure 3. nd = not determined. ++ is very good growth. + is good growth. - is no growth observed. Different carbon sources tested for metabolic use by ''D.cinnamea'' P4 (Von der Weid, 2006)]]


 
[[File:2005 malaria mosquito.jpg|frame|right|Fatty acid oxidation in Geomyces Destructans [6] NCBI. [http://nasadaacs.eos.nasa.gov/articles/2005/2005_malaria.html/] ]]Fatty acid ω-oxidation in ''Geomyces destructans'' was researched by metacycy. http://metacyc.org/. ''Geomyces destructans'', along with other industrial yeasts, are capable of using fatty acids and alkanes as carbon sources. The methyl group at the end of the molecule is initially oxidized to a hydroxyl group, then to an oxo group, and terminally to a carboxyl group. The long chain of dicarboxylates derived from ω-oxidation then go into the β-oxidation pathway for further breakdown [6]. In the environment, polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically linoleic and a-linolenic acid, are important for hibernating animals. Bats severely affected by White Nose Syndrome have been shown to exhibit higher amounts of α-linolenic acid in their white adipose tissue [7]. Contrariwise, bat species’ not heavily afflicted by white nose syndrome have higher amounts of linoleic acid in their white adipose tissue. In order for ''Geomyces destructans'' to survive it must utilize the α-linolnic acid as a carbon source. Dietary fatty acids can be excreted through sebaceous glands on the bat, which the fungus comes into contact with. ''Geomyces destructans'' is unable to metabolize linoleic acid as a carbon source but may metabolize a-linolenic acid. If bats differ in their relative ratios of fatty acids this may play an important role in species, diet, and range specificity to white nose syndrome and hence bat survival [7].
The full DNA code for ''D.cinnamea'' has been partially sequenced and contains 3,555,295 bp (NCBI Nucleotide):[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=nuccore&cmd=DetailsSearch&term=dietzia+cinnamea&save_search=true].
''D.cinnamea'' has a GC content of 72.3% (Von der Weid, 2006).
DNA of the P4 strain was sequenced with a 16S rDNA and it was found to have a 99.8% similarity to ''D.cinnamea'' that was found in the previous bone marrow transplant swab.  When testing DNA-DNA similarities, the strains were 93.3% homologous with the transplant swab.  A 70% threshold of DNA-DNA similarity is required to include it in the species. This confirms that P4 is part of the species ''D.cinnamea''.  This species has a 30-50% genome similarity with the other species of ''Dietzia'' (''D.maris'' 52.4%, ''D.natronolimnaea''' 56.3%, ''D.psychraicliphila'' 37.8%)(Figure 2)(Von der Weid, 2006).
 
==Cell Structure and Metabolism==
 
[[Image:oily_bacillus.jpg|frame|left|''Bacillus subtilis'' in the spore-formation phase. From [http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/success/en/pur/0291e.html Innovation in Europe]]] Bacilli are rod-shaped, Gram-positive, sporulating, aerobes or facultative anaerobes. Most bacilli are saprophytes. Each bacterium creates only one spore, which is resistant to heat, cold, radiation, desiccation, and disinfectants. Bacilli exhibit an array of physiologic abilities that allow them to live in a wide range of habitats, including many extreme habitats such as desert sands, hot springs, and Arctic soils. Species in the genus ''Bacillus'' can be thermophilic, psychrophilic, acidophilic, alkaliphilic, halotolerant, or halophilic and are capable at growing at pH values, temperatures, and salt concentrations where few other organisms can survive.


==Ecology==
==Ecology==
 
[[Image:horse.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Map from White-Nose Syndrome Management: Report on Structured Decision Making Initiative (page 47), Oct. 2009, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Base map by Bat Conservation International.' http://www.wildmammal.com/index_files/whitenose_syndrome.html]]
Due to the metabolic diversity in the genus ''Bacillus'', bacilli are able to colonize a variety of habitats ranging from soil and insects to humans. ''Bacillus thuringiensis'' parasitizes insects, and is commercially used for pest control. Although the most well known of the bacilli are the pathogenic species, most'' Bacillus ''are saprophytes that make their living off of decaying matter. Still others, namely ''Bacillus subtilis'', inhabit the rhizosphere, which is the interface between plant roots and the surrounding soil. The plants roots and associated biofilm can have a significant effect on the chemistry of the soil, creating a unique environment. <br /><br /> It has recently been shown that ''Bacillus subtilis'' engages in cannibalism. They use cannibalism as the easy way out in extreme cases. For survival in harsh environments, bacilli can form spores, but it is very costly to them energy-wise. An easier way is for the bacteria to produce antibiotics that destroy neighboring bacilli, so that their contents may be digested allowing for the survival of a few of the bacteria. Essentially, what they are doing is snacking on their fellow bacilli, to tide them over, hoping for the environment to pick back up.
White nose syndrome in bats was initially observed in 2006 at a single cave near Albany, New York. WNS has since been found in 14 states and 2 Canadian provinces, spreading up to 800 miles in 2009 [2]. This is of particular concern to scientists due to many bat species’ important role in their ecosystems. Not only does the decreasing umber of bats affect the environment but it also impacts humans. Bats are responcible for consuming large amounts of insects. A single Little Brown bat can consume one thousand insects in a night [2]. In the US, farmers spend significant amounts of money attempting to control pests, and with the decline of the bat population, farmers will be forced to take more drastic measures to regulate their crops and herds. This also increases the risk to humans from insect borne disease. Bats also feed the members of the microenvironments in caves. The loss of the bats to a cave, would destroy it’s ecosystem. ''Geomyces destructans'' is also known to speed between heavily visit caves without the help of bats. Spores of ''Geomyces destructans'' have been transferred from cave to cave through human contact as well as animal. [2]Other related species are commonly found in the soil and air and do not usually elicit an immune response in humans.


==Pathology==
==Pathology==


Bacilli cause an array of infections from ear infections to meningitis, and urinary tract infections to septicemia. Mostly they occur as secondary infections in immunodeficient hosts or otherwise compromised hosts. They may exacerbate previous infection by producing tissue-damaging toxins or metabolites that interfere with treatment.
''Geomyces destructans'' is a psychrophilic dermatophyte. This type of fungus can grown in cold conditions and cause infection of the skin due to it’s keratin obtaining ability. This fungus can attack the skin of muzzles, ears or wing membranes, and fills hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands. ''Geomyces destructans'' negatively influences water balance in the bat, thus disrupting energy consumption. Infection with the fungus may also disrupt blood circulation and gas exchange through the skin [8]. Hyphae and white conidia powder have been found on bats, but the fungus elicits no immune response or inflammation when infected [3]. While the bats are hibernating, the fungus infects the designated areas and begins to replace and digest the living skin or tissues. Studies show that while bats are hibernating, their metabolism slows to a crawl, their body temperature decrease, and their immune system is depressed [9]. These conditions leave the bats susceptible to ''Geomyces destructans'' which grows optimally at 1-15C.


The most well known disease caused by bacilli is anthrax, caused by ''Bacillus anthracis''. Anthrax has a long history with humans. It has been suggested that the fifth and sixth plagues of Egypt recorded in the Bible (the fifth attacking animals, the sixth, known as the plague of the boils, attacking humans). In the 1600s anthrax was known as the "Black bane" and killed over 60,000 cows. Anthrax has more recently been brought to our attention as a possible method for bioterrorism. The recent anthrax mailings have brought acute public attention to the issue and sparked extensive research into the devastating disease.
==References==
 
Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivores who acquire the bacterium by eating plants with dust that contains anthrax spores. Humans contract the disease in three different ways. Cutaneous anthrax occurs when a human comes into contact with the spores form dust particles or a contaminated animal or carcass through a cut or abrasion. Cutaneous anthrax accounts for 95% of anthrax cases worldwide. During a 2-3 day incubation period the spores germinate, vegetative cells multiply, and a papule develops. Over the following days the papule ulcerates, dries and blackens to form the characteristic eschar. The process is painless unless infected with another pathogen.
 
Gastrointestinal anthrax is contracted by ingesting contaminated meat. It occurs in the intestinal mucosa when the organisms invade the mucosa through a preexisting lesions. It progresses the same way as cutaneous anthrax. Although it is extremely rare in developed countries, it has a very high mortality rate.
 
Pulmonary anthrax is the result of inhaled spores that are transported to the lymph nodes where they germinate and multiply. They are then taken into the blood stream and lymphatics culminating in systemic arthritis which is usually fatal.
[[Image:fig15_1d.jpg|frame|right| Characteristic eschar of anthrax on an arm. From the [http://gsbs.utmb.edu/microbook/ch015.htm University of Texas Medical Branch]]]
 
==Phages==
 
Due to the danger of anthrax being used in biological weapons, research has been put into other methods, besides the highly controversial vaccine, to defend against the deadly disease. A recently discovered bacteriophage, the gamma phage, attacks ''Bacillus anthracis,'' and researches are optimistic about its clinical application. The bacteriophage is highly selective, and is extremely effective in lysing ''B. anthracis'' cells, while ignoring those of its closely related counterparts ''B. cereu''s and ''B. thuringiensis''. The gamma phage has been over 80% effective in treating infected mice that were in the late stages of the disease, essentially rescuing them from almost certain death. There is the obvious concern that anthrax will develop strains that are immune to this treatment, and we will be right back where we started. Researchers say that this is unlikely because the only way to evade this predator would be a mutational change in cell wall structure to prevent the virus from binding, and this would kill the bacterium.


[1] Chaturvedi V, Springer DJ, Behr MJ, Ramani R, Li X, et al. (2010) Morphological and Molecular Characterizations of Psychrophilic Fungus ''Geomyces destructans'' from New York Bats with White Nose Syndrome (WNS). PLoS ONE 5(5): e10783. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010783


==Medicine==
[2] G. G. Turner, D. M. Reeder, and J. T. H. Coleman. 2011. A Five-year Assessment of Mortality and Geographic Spread of White-Nose Syndrome in North American Bats, with a Look at the Future. Update of White-Nose Syndrome in bats. Bat Research News, 52:13-27.pdf
 
Despite the pathogenic capabilities of some bacilli, many other species are used in medical and pharmaceutical processes. These take advantage of the bacteria's ability to synthesize certain proteins and antibiotics. Bacitracin and plymixin, two ingredients in Neosporin, are products of bacilli. Also, innocuous ''Bacillus ''microbes are useful for studying the virulent bacillus species that are closely related.'' B. subtilis'' has multiple carbohydrate pathways, representing the variety of carbohydrates found in the soil. <br />
 
==References==
[http://www.horizonpress.com/bac Graumann, P. 2007. ''Bacillus subtilis'': Cellular and Molecular Biology. Caister Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-904455-12-7]
 
[http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/success/en/pur/0291e.html Innovation in Europe: The decoding of the ''Bacillus subtilis'' genome]


[http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v423/n6935/abs/nature01582_fs.html&dynoptions=doi1054748259 Ivanova, Natalia et al. 2003. Genome sequence of Bacillus cereus and comparative analysis with Bacillus anthracis. Nature, Vol. 423: 87-91.]
[3] Gargas, A., M.T. Trest, M. Christensen, T.J. Volk, and D.S. Blehert. "''Geomyces Destructans'' sp. nov. associated with bat white-nose syndrome." Mycotaxon 108.1 (2009): 147-54. Print.


[http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v390/n6657/full/390249a0_fs.html Kunst, F. 1997. The complete genome sequence of the Gram-positive bacterium ''Bacillus subtilis''. Nature, 390: 249-256.]
[4] KUBÁTOVÁ1, ALENA, ONDŘEJ KOUKOL, ALENA NOVÁKOVÁ, and CZECH MYCOL. "''Geomyces Destructans'', Phenotypic Features of Some Czech Isolates." CZECH MYCOL 63(1): (2011): 65-75. Print.


[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12721629&dopt=Abstract Read, T. D. et al. 2003. The genome sequence of Bacillus anthracis Ames and comparison to closely related bacteria. Nature, Vol. 423: 23-25. ]
[5] Courtin, F., WB Stone, G. Risatti, and K. Gilbert. "Pathologic Findings and Liver Elements in Hibernating Bats With White-Nose Syndrome." Veterinary Pathology. Veterinary Patholog, doi: 10.1177/0300985809358614 Mar. 2010. accessed Web. 03 May 2012. <http://vet.sagepub.com/content/47/2/214.full>.


[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12192391&dopt=Abstract Rosovitz, M. J. & Stephen H. Leppla. 2002. Medicine: Virus deals anthrax a killer blow. Nature, Vol. 418: 825-826.]
[6] Caspi et al., 2012, "The MetaCyc Database of metabolic pathways and enzymes and the BioCyc collection of pathway/genome databases", Nucleic Acids Research in publications resulting from its use. http://metacyc.org/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/  


[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v418/n6900/abs/nature01026.html Schuch, Raymond, Daniel Nelson & Vincent A. Fischetti. 2002. A bacteriolytic agent that detects and kills Bacillus anthracis. Nature, Vol. 418: 884-889]
[7] Amy Whistle1, Evan Pannkuk2,3, David Gilmore1, Ellis Benjamin3, Earl Benjamin3, FATTY ACID METABOLISM BY ''GEOMYCES DESTRUCTANS''. Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate Program in Environmental Science, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences Arkansas State University, State University https://ncur.weber.edu/ncur/archive/Display_NCUR.aspx?id=52845


[http://gsbs.utmb.edu/microbook/ch015.htm University of Texas Medical Branch: ''Bacillus'']
[8]Wing pathology of white-nose syndrome in bats suggests life-threatening disruption of physiology. Paul M Cryan1, Carol U Meteyer2*, Justin G Boyles3 and David S Blehert.November 2010


[http://www.bact.wisc.edu/microtextbook/disease/anthrax.html University of Wisconsin-Madison: ''Bacillus anthracis'' and anthrax]
[9]Serological, hematological and immunological research on hibernating bats. Jaeger R Experientia 1963, 19:596-598.


Wipat, Anil & Colin R. Hardwood. 1999. The Bacillus subtilis genome sequence: the molecular blueprint of a soil bacterium. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Vol. 28: 1-9.
[10] Wibbelt G, Kurth A, Hellmann D, Weishaar M, Barlow A, Veith M, Pruger J, Gorfol T, Grosche L, Bontadina F, et al: White-nose syndrome fungus (''Geomyces destructans'') in bats, Europe. Emerg Infect Dis 2010, 16:1237-1243.

Latest revision as of 00:49, 16 May 2012

This student page has not been curated.

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Geomyces Destructans

Scanning electron micrograph of Geomyces destructans. Image courtesy of David Blehart, USGS National Wildlife Health Center.. Image from [1]


Classification

Kingdon: Fungi

Subkingdom: Dikarya

Phylum: Ascomycota

Subphylum: Pezizomycotina

Class: Leotiomycetes

Order: Helotiales

Family: Myxotrichaceae

Genus: Geomyces

Species: Geomyces destructans

NCBI: [4] Genome

White Nose Syndrome in Bats Microbe Wicki Page: http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/White_nose_syndrome_in_bats

Description and Significance

Three little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) photographed by Alan Hicks (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) in Graphite Mine, New York, in November, 2008. Note the white fungus colonizing the muzzles and nostrils of all three bats. From [2]

Geomyces destructans is a fungus thought to be responsible for the large number of bat deaths in New England over the last several years. It first presented itself in the US in 2006 and then in Europe specifically France, in 2009. Until recently G. destructans was thought to be a normal resident inhabiting bats around the world. Further research links this to “white nose syndrome,” and even more recent research shows a 100% match between the DNA of Geomyces destructans and the fungus found on the dead bats [1]. (Chaturvedi et al) Further study is needed on this subject; reachers do not seem to be sure if the fungus is stemming from pest control measures or how and why this has recently devastated bats around the world.

Since first observation near Albany, NY in 2006, white nose syndrome has decimated populations of cave-hibernating bats in the northeastern United States, with mortality rates of 75-95%. In 2009, the infection area extended from northeastern New Hampshire to southwestern Virginia and expanded into Tennessee and Canada in 2010 [2]. Outside of North America, Geomyces destructans has also been observed in colonized bats across Europe. It is not yet obvious how the infection is influencing the bat populations in Europe [10]. .


Genome Structure


A total of 9075 genes coding for proteins have been sequenced for Geomyces destructans in a genome of 29,706,106 base pairs to code for them. Liner mitochondrial DNA has also been sequenced but little information is available on genetic specifics at this time. (NCBI)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/.

Metabolism

Fatty acid oxidation in Geomyces Destructans [6] NCBI. [3]

Fatty acid ω-oxidation in Geomyces destructans was researched by metacycy. http://metacyc.org/. Geomyces destructans, along with other industrial yeasts, are capable of using fatty acids and alkanes as carbon sources. The methyl group at the end of the molecule is initially oxidized to a hydroxyl group, then to an oxo group, and terminally to a carboxyl group. The long chain of dicarboxylates derived from ω-oxidation then go into the β-oxidation pathway for further breakdown [6]. In the environment, polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically linoleic and a-linolenic acid, are important for hibernating animals. Bats severely affected by White Nose Syndrome have been shown to exhibit higher amounts of α-linolenic acid in their white adipose tissue [7]. Contrariwise, bat species’ not heavily afflicted by white nose syndrome have higher amounts of linoleic acid in their white adipose tissue. In order for Geomyces destructans to survive it must utilize the α-linolnic acid as a carbon source. Dietary fatty acids can be excreted through sebaceous glands on the bat, which the fungus comes into contact with. Geomyces destructans is unable to metabolize linoleic acid as a carbon source but may metabolize a-linolenic acid. If bats differ in their relative ratios of fatty acids this may play an important role in species, diet, and range specificity to white nose syndrome and hence bat survival [7].

Ecology

Map from White-Nose Syndrome Management: Report on Structured Decision Making Initiative (page 47), Oct. 2009, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Base map by Bat Conservation International.' http://www.wildmammal.com/index_files/whitenose_syndrome.html

White nose syndrome in bats was initially observed in 2006 at a single cave near Albany, New York. WNS has since been found in 14 states and 2 Canadian provinces, spreading up to 800 miles in 2009 [2]. This is of particular concern to scientists due to many bat species’ important role in their ecosystems. Not only does the decreasing umber of bats affect the environment but it also impacts humans. Bats are responcible for consuming large amounts of insects. A single Little Brown bat can consume one thousand insects in a night [2]. In the US, farmers spend significant amounts of money attempting to control pests, and with the decline of the bat population, farmers will be forced to take more drastic measures to regulate their crops and herds. This also increases the risk to humans from insect borne disease. Bats also feed the members of the microenvironments in caves. The loss of the bats to a cave, would destroy it’s ecosystem. Geomyces destructans is also known to speed between heavily visit caves without the help of bats. Spores of Geomyces destructans have been transferred from cave to cave through human contact as well as animal. [2]Other related species are commonly found in the soil and air and do not usually elicit an immune response in humans.

Pathology

Geomyces destructans is a psychrophilic dermatophyte. This type of fungus can grown in cold conditions and cause infection of the skin due to it’s keratin obtaining ability. This fungus can attack the skin of muzzles, ears or wing membranes, and fills hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands. Geomyces destructans negatively influences water balance in the bat, thus disrupting energy consumption. Infection with the fungus may also disrupt blood circulation and gas exchange through the skin [8]. Hyphae and white conidia powder have been found on bats, but the fungus elicits no immune response or inflammation when infected [3]. While the bats are hibernating, the fungus infects the designated areas and begins to replace and digest the living skin or tissues. Studies show that while bats are hibernating, their metabolism slows to a crawl, their body temperature decrease, and their immune system is depressed [9]. These conditions leave the bats susceptible to Geomyces destructans which grows optimally at 1-15C.

References

[1] Chaturvedi V, Springer DJ, Behr MJ, Ramani R, Li X, et al. (2010) Morphological and Molecular Characterizations of Psychrophilic Fungus Geomyces destructans from New York Bats with White Nose Syndrome (WNS). PLoS ONE 5(5): e10783. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010783

[2] G. G. Turner, D. M. Reeder, and J. T. H. Coleman. 2011. A Five-year Assessment of Mortality and Geographic Spread of White-Nose Syndrome in North American Bats, with a Look at the Future. Update of White-Nose Syndrome in bats. Bat Research News, 52:13-27.pdf

[3] Gargas, A., M.T. Trest, M. Christensen, T.J. Volk, and D.S. Blehert. "Geomyces Destructans sp. nov. associated with bat white-nose syndrome." Mycotaxon 108.1 (2009): 147-54. Print.

[4] KUBÁTOVÁ1, ALENA, ONDŘEJ KOUKOL, ALENA NOVÁKOVÁ, and CZECH MYCOL. "Geomyces Destructans, Phenotypic Features of Some Czech Isolates." CZECH MYCOL 63(1): (2011): 65-75. Print.

[5] Courtin, F., WB Stone, G. Risatti, and K. Gilbert. "Pathologic Findings and Liver Elements in Hibernating Bats With White-Nose Syndrome." Veterinary Pathology. Veterinary Patholog, doi: 10.1177/0300985809358614 Mar. 2010. accessed Web. 03 May 2012. <http://vet.sagepub.com/content/47/2/214.full>.

[6] Caspi et al., 2012, "The MetaCyc Database of metabolic pathways and enzymes and the BioCyc collection of pathway/genome databases", Nucleic Acids Research in publications resulting from its use. http://metacyc.org/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[7] Amy Whistle1, Evan Pannkuk2,3, David Gilmore1, Ellis Benjamin3, Earl Benjamin3, FATTY ACID METABOLISM BY GEOMYCES DESTRUCTANS. Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate Program in Environmental Science, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences Arkansas State University, State University https://ncur.weber.edu/ncur/archive/Display_NCUR.aspx?id=52845

[8]Wing pathology of white-nose syndrome in bats suggests life-threatening disruption of physiology. Paul M Cryan1, Carol U Meteyer2*, Justin G Boyles3 and David S Blehert.November 2010

[9]Serological, hematological and immunological research on hibernating bats. Jaeger R Experientia 1963, 19:596-598.

[10] Wibbelt G, Kurth A, Hellmann D, Weishaar M, Barlow A, Veith M, Pruger J, Gorfol T, Grosche L, Bontadina F, et al: White-nose syndrome fungus (Geomyces destructans) in bats, Europe. Emerg Infect Dis 2010, 16:1237-1243.

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