Research Topic: white-nose syndrome

Inhibitory and synergistic effects of volatile organic compounds from bat caves against Pseudogymnoascus destructans in vitro

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Researchers discovered that two natural compounds found in bat cave environments—isovaleric acid and ethyl methyl carbonate—can effectively kill the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats. When used together, these compounds work even better than alone, disrupting the fungus’s cell membranes, causing it to produce too many reactive molecules (free radicals), and triggering cell death. This discovery offers hope for developing new treatments to protect bat populations that have been devastated by this disease in North America.

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Antifungal mechanism of ketone volatile organic compounds against Pseudogymnoascus destructans

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Researchers discovered that two ketone compounds, 2-undecanone and 2-nonanone, effectively kill Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats. Using advanced genetic analysis, they found these ketones work by damaging the fungus’s cell structure, disrupting its energy production, and causing DNA damage. This research provides a foundation for developing new fumigant treatments to protect bat populations from this devastating fungal disease.

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Screening microbial inhibitors of Pseudogymnoascus destructans in Northern China

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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.

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Insight into the Skin Mycobiota of Myotis myotis: How Age, Sex, and Biometric Traits Correlate with Fungal Diversity

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Researchers studied fungal colonies living on the skin of Greater mouse-eared bats in autumn, discovering 39 different fungal species. Wing membranes had more fungal diversity than tail membranes, with males carrying more fungi than females. Interestingly, older male bats accumulated more fungal species, while older female bats showed less fungal diversity. The study found no trace of the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, suggesting caves rather than bats may be the main source of this disease.

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Presence of white-nose syndrome in bats from Southern Mexico

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Researchers found evidence that white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease affecting bats, has reached southern Mexico. The fungus was detected in bat samples from a cave in Oaxaca, confirming earlier predictions about its spread from North America. The fungus can survive at temperatures ranging from cold to tropical heat, making it a significant threat to bat populations across diverse habitats in Mexico and beyond.

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