Title

Bat White-Nose Syndrome: An Emerging Fungal Pathogen?

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Publication Date

November 2008

Abstract

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a condition associated with an unprecedented bat mortality event in the northeastern United States. Since the winter of 2006*2007, bat declines exceeding 75% have been observed at surveyed hibernacula. Affected bats often present with visually striking white fungal growth on their muzzles, ears, and/or wing membranes. Direct microscopy and culture analyses demonstrated that the skin of WNS-affected bats is colonized by a psychrophilic fungus that is phylogenetically related to Geomyces spp. but with a conidial morphology distinct from characterized members of this genus. This report characterizes the cutaneous fungal infection associated with WNS.

Keywords

White-Nose Syndrome, Wns, Bat Mortality, Northeastern United States, Hibernacula

Type

Article

Identifier

SFS0040923_00001

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