| Title: | Development of a multi-year white-nose syndrome mitigation strategy using antifungal volatile organic compounds |
| Author(s): | Gabriel KT; McDonald AG; Lutsch KE; Pattavina PE; Morris KM; Ferrall EA; Crow SA; Cornelison CT; |
| Address: | "Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, United States of America. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, Athens, Georgia, United States of America. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Wildlife Conservation Section, Social Circle, Georgia, United States of America. Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America" |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0278603 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1932-6203 (Electronic) 1932-6203 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a fungal pathogen responsible for a deadly disease among North American bats known as white-nose syndrome (WNS). Since detection of WNS in the United States in 2006, its rapid spread and high mortality has challenged development of treatment and prevention methods, a significant objective for wildlife management agencies. In an effort to mitigate precipitous declines in bat populations due to WNS, we have developed and implemented a multi-year mitigation strategy at Black Diamond Tunnel (BDT), Georgia, singly known as one of the most substantial winter colony sites for tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus), with pre-WNS abundance exceeding 5000 individuals. Our mitigation approach involved in situ treatment of bats at the colony level through aerosol distribution of antifungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that demonstrated an in vitro ability to inhibit P. destructans conidia germination and mycelial growth through contact-independent exposure. The VOCs evaluated have been identified from microbes inhabiting naturally-occurring fungistatic soils and endophytic fungi. These VOCs are of low toxicity to mammals and have been observed to elicit antagonism of P. destructans at low gaseous concentrations. Cumulatively, our observations resolved no detrimental impact on bat behavior or health, yet indicated a potential for attenuation of WNS related declines at BDT and demonstrated the feasibility of this novel disease management approach" |
| Keywords: | Humans Animals *Volatile Organic Compounds/pharmacology Antifungal Agents/pharmacology *Chiroptera Nose Syndrome; |
| Notes: | "MedlineGabriel, Kyle T McDonald, Ashley G Lutsch, Kelly E Pattavina, Peter E Morris, Katrina M Ferrall, Emily A Crow, Sidney A Jr Cornelison, Christopher T eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2022/12/02 PLoS One. 2022 Dec 1; 17(12):e0278603. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278603. eCollection 2022" |
