Abstract
BackgroundVertebrate ectoparasites frequently play a role in transmission of infectious agents. Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a psychrophilic fungus known to cause white-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease of bats. It is transmitted with direct contact between bats or with contaminated environment. The aim of this study was to examine wing mites from the family Spinturnicidae parasitizing hibernating bats for the presence of P. destructans propagules as another possible transmission route.MethodsWing mites collected from 33 bats at four hibernation sites in the Czech Republic were inspected for the presence and load of pathogen's DNA using quantitative PCR. Simultaneously, wing damage of inspected bats caused by WNS was quantified using ultraviolet light (UV) transillumination and the relationship between fungal load on wing mites and intensity of infection was subjected to correlation analysis.ResultsAll samples of wing mites were positive for the presence of DNA of P. destructans, indicating a high probability of their role in the transmission of the pathogen's propagules between bats.ConclusionsMechanical transport of adhesive P. destructans spores and mycelium fragments on the body of spinturnicid mites is highly feasible. The specialised lifestyle of mites, i.e., living on bat wing membranes, the sites most typically affected by fungal growth, enables pathogen transport. Moreover, P. destructans metabolic traits suggest an ability to grow and sporulate on a range of organic substrates, including insects, which supports the possibility of growth on bat ectoparasites, at least in periods when bats roost in cold environments and enter torpor. In addition to transport of fungal propagules, mites may facilitate entry of fungal hyphae into the epidermis through injuries caused by biting.
Highlights
Vertebrate ectoparasites frequently play a role in transmission of infectious agents
P. destructans metabolic traits suggest an ability to grow and sporulate on a range of organic substrates, including insects, which supports the possibility of growth on bat ectoparasites, at least in periods when bats roost in cold environments and enter torpor
White-nose syndrome is a virulent emerging fungal disease devastating bat populations across North America through disruptive effects on their hibernation [1,2,3,4]. It is caused by a psychrophilic fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, found in Europe, Asia and North America, that grows on skin and wing membranes of affected bats, inflicting long-lasting injuries
Summary
Vertebrate ectoparasites frequently play a role in transmission of infectious agents. Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a psychrophilic fungus known to cause white-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease of bats. White-nose syndrome is a virulent emerging fungal disease devastating bat populations across North America through disruptive effects on their hibernation [1,2,3,4] It is caused by a psychrophilic fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, found in Europe, Asia and North America, that grows on skin and wing membranes of affected bats, inflicting long-lasting injuries. Lučan et al Parasites & Vectors (2016) 9:16 many other bat ectoparasites, stay on the bats’ body year-round, including the hibernation period [15] Given their size (~1 mm) and horizontal transmission mode, wing mites may serve as an ideal vector of microscopic (~10 μm) spores and mycelium fragments of the WNS fungus. The aim of our study, was to detect the presence of P. destructans propagules, the agent of WNS, in spinturnicid mites obtained from hibernating bats
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