Abstract
ABSTRACTBat white-nose syndrome has become associated with unparalleled mortality in bat species across the United States since 2006. In a recent article, Drees and colleagues (mBio 8:e01941-17, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01941-17) utilized both whole-genome sequencing and microsatellite data to explore the origin and spread of the causative agent of bat white-nose syndrome, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The research by Drees et al. supports the hypothesis that P. destructans was introduced into North America from Europe, with molecular dating suggesting a divergence from European isolates approximately 100 years ago. The approaches described in this study are an important contribution toward pinpointing the origins of this infection and underscore the need for more rigorous international biosecurity in order to stem the tide of emerging fungal pathogens.
Highlights
In their recent study, Drees and colleagues used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of a large collection of bat white-nose fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans isolates to identify three distinct populations of the fungus: high-diversity European isolates, which encompass the epizootic North American outbreak isolates, and two genetic outliers from China and Mongolia [1]
Initial studies based on microsatellite data provided insights into the spatial distribution and relationships between P. destructans isolates collected from across Europe and North America, suggesting a European origin of the infection [7, 8]
The European population of P. destructans was shown to be sexually recombining with both mating types present
Summary
Drees and colleagues used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of a large collection of bat white-nose fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans isolates to identify three distinct populations of the fungus: high-diversity European isolates, which encompass the epizootic North American outbreak isolates, and two genetic outliers from China and Mongolia [1]. Initial studies based on microsatellite data provided insights into the spatial distribution and relationships between P. destructans isolates collected from across Europe and North America, suggesting a European origin of the infection [7, 8]. WGS has the potential to provide much greater genetic resolution into patterns of gene flow within and between bat hibernacula and continents; the study by Drees et al [1] adds to
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