White-nose syndrome detected in bats over an extensive area of Russia

• DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1521-1
• Publication Date: 2018-06-18T09:07:21Z
• Authors: Veronika Kovacova; Jan Zukal; Hana Bandouchova; Alexander D. Botv...; Markéta Harazim; Natália Martínková; Oleg L. Orlov; Vladimir Piacek; Alexandra P. Shum...; Mikhail P. Tiunov; Jiri Pikula
• Keywords: White (mutation)

Spatiotemporal distribution patterns are important infectious disease epidemiological characteristics that improve our understanding of wild animal population health. The skin infection caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans emerged as a panzootic in bats northern hemisphere. However, status over an extensive geographic area Russian Federation has remained understudied.We examined at limits bat hibernation Palearctic temperate zone and found with white-nose syndrome (WNS) on European slopes Ural Mountains through Western Siberian Plain, Central Siberia to Far East. We identified diagnostic symptoms WNS based histopathology Northern region 11° (about 1200 km) higher latitude than current limit Nearctic. While body surface temperature differed between regions, all study sites hibernated very cold conditions averaging 3.6 °C. Each also P. fungal load number UV fluorescent lesions indicating damage intensity. Myotis bombinus, M. gracilis Murina hilgendorfi were newly confirmed histopathological WNS. Prevalence UV-documented ranged 16 76% species relevant sample size.To conclude, pathogen is widely present hibernacula but remains low intensity, despite high exposure rate.