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Screening microbial inhibitors of Pseudogymnoascus destructans in Northern China

Summary

Scientists in Northern China have found bacteria living on bat skin and in cave soil that can kill the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome, a disease devastating bat populations worldwide. These bacteria produce various antifungal compounds including volatile organic compounds that diffuse through the air and damage the fungus’s structure. By analyzing the genetic makeup of these bacteria, researchers identified specific genes responsible for producing these antifungal compounds, offering hope for developing biological control treatments that could protect bats and reduce fungal loads in cave environments.

Background

White-nose syndrome is caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, a fungal pathogen that has devastated bat populations in North America. While P. destructans has been detected in China, prevalence and loads are relatively low, potentially due to protective microbiota on bat skin and in cave environments.

Objective

To isolate and characterize bacterial strains from bat skin and cave soil in Northern China that inhibit P. destructans growth, and to identify the antifungal metabolic pathways and gene clusters responsible for this antagonistic activity.

Results

Twenty-nine bacterial strains inhibiting P. destructans were isolated, primarily belonging to Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Serratia. Volatile organic compounds including α-pinene, 2-undecanone, 2-nonanone, and benzaldehyde completely inhibited fungal growth and caused mycelial morphological damage. Whole-genome analysis revealed enriched gene clusters for bacteriocins, siderophores, and β-lactones, with β-lactones and chitinases identified as primary antifungal mechanisms.

Conclusion

Bacteria from bat skin and cave environments produce multiple classes of antifungal compounds that inhibit P. destructans through both volatile and soluble secondary metabolites. These findings provide a foundation for developing microbe-based biological control strategies against white-nose syndrome and reducing environmental fungal loads.
  • Published in:Microbiology Spectrum,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1128/spectrum.01241-25, PMID: 41128515
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