A5083481559- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Education, Psychology, and Social Research
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Bartonella species infections research
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Leptospirosis research and findings
- Marine and environmental studies
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology
2016-2025
University of Veterinary Sciences Brno
2022-2024
Masaryk University
2012-2023
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany
2010-2021
Czech Academy of Sciences
1998-2015
University of Aberdeen
2006
Abstract A striking feature of white-nose syndrome, a fungal infection hibernating bats, is the difference in outcome between North America and Europe. Here we show high WNS prevalence both Europe on West Siberian Plain Asia. Palearctic bat communities tolerate similar loads Pseudogymnoascus destructans as their Nearctic counterparts histopathology indicates equal focal skin tissue invasiveness pathognomonic for lesions. Fungal load positively correlates with disease intensity it reaches...
Definitive diagnosis of the bat disease white-nose syndrome (WNS) requires histologic analysis to identify cutaneous erosions caused by fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus [formerly Geomyces] destructans (Pd). Gross visual inspection does not distinguish bats with or without WNS, and no nonlethal, on-site, preliminary screening methods are available for WNS in bats. We demonstrate that long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light (wavelength 366-385 nm) elicits a distinct orange-yellow fluorescence...
Host traits and phylogeny can determine infection risk by driving pathogen transmission its ability to infect new hosts. Predicting such risks is critical when designing disease mitigation strategies, especially as regards wildlife, where intensive management often advocated or prevented economic and/or practical reasons. We investigated Pseudogymnoascus [Geomyces] destructans infection, the cause of white-nose syndrome (WNS), in relation chiropteran ecology, behaviour phylogenetics. While...
Abstract Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula, N. leisleri, Myotis daubentonii, M. myotis , unidentified small spp. and Plecotus were recorded during bat detector transects within a central European city of 350,000 inhabitants. Bats in all seven habitat types under study, the levels activity for each species type significantly different. The relative whole community was highest old outskirts (low density housing) at river, lowest centre new housing estates (high...
Background White-nose syndrome is a disease of hibernating insectivorous bats associated with the fungus Geomyces destructans. It first appeared in North America 2006, where over million died since then. In Europe, G. destructans was identified France 2009. Its distribution, infection dynamics, and effects on Europe are largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings We screened hibernacula Czech Republic Slovakia for presence during winter seasons 2008/2009 2009/2010. 2009/2010, we found...
White-nose syndrome, associated with the fungal skin infection geomycosis, caused regional population collapse in bats North America. Our results, based on histopathology, show presence of white-nose syndrome Europe. Dermatohistopathology two (Myotis myotis) found dead March 2010 geomycosis Czech Republic had characteristics resembling Geomyces destructans confirmed US hibernacula. In addition, a live M. myotis, biopsied for histopathology during hibernation April 2011, typical cupping...
While white-nose syndrome (WNS) has decimated hibernating bat populations in the Nearctic, species from Palearctic appear to cope better with fungal skin infection causing WNS. This encouraged multiple hypotheses on mechanisms leading differential survival of exposed same pathogen. To facilitate intercontinental comparisons, we proposed a novel pathogenesis-based grading scheme consistent WNS diagnosis histopathology criteria. UV light-guided collection was used obtain single biopsies...
While Pseudogymnoascus destructans has been responsible for mass bat mortalities from white-nose syndrome (WNS) in North America, its virulence Europe questioned. To shed the light on issue of host–pathogen interaction between European bats and P. destructans, we examined seventeen emerging fungus-positive underground hibernacula Czech Republic during early spring 2013. Dual wing-membrane biopsies were taken Barbastella barbastellus (1), Myotis daubentonii emarginatus myotis (11), nattereri...
Bats are natural reservoirs of numerous coronaviruses, including the potential ancestor SARS-CoV-2. Knowledge concerning interaction between coronaviruses and bat cells is sparse. We investigated ability primary from
The epidemiology of filarial infections is a neglected area bat research, with little information on species diversity, life cycles, host ranges, infection prevalence and intensity, parasite pathogenicity, or competent vectors. Furthermore, molecular data for worms are largely lacking. Here, we examined 27 cadavers parti-colored (Vespertilio murinus) from Czech rescue centers using gross necropsy. We also used nested polymerase chain reactions targeting partial mitochondrial cytochrome c...
Abstract In underground hibernacula temperate northern hemisphere bats are exposed to Pseudogymnoascus destructans , the fungal agent of white-nose syndrome. While pathological and epidemiological data suggest that Palearctic tolerate this infection, we lack knowledge about bat health under pathogen pressure. Here report blood profiles, along with body mass index (BMI), infection intensity hibernation temperature, in greater mouse-eared ( Myotis myotis ). We sampled three European differ...
Understanding how context (e.g., host species, environmental conditions) drives disease susceptibility is an essential goal of ecology. We hypothesized that in bat white-nose syndrome (WNS), species-specific host–pathogen interactions may partly explain varying outcomes among species. characterized and pathogen transcriptomes paired samples lesion-positive lesion-negative wing tissue from bats infected with Pseudogymnoascus destructans three parallel experiments. The first two experiments...
Abstract There has been growing interest in the study and conservation of bats throughout world. Declines their absolute numbers recent decades are due, part, to fact that insectivorous may bioaccumulate toxic pollutants. The purpose present was quantify heavy metal concentrations kidney, liver, pectoral muscle samples relation metallothionein (MT) levels. In total, 106 belonging 11 European species (i.e., Myotis myotis , daubentonii brandtii nattereri emarginatus mystacinus Pipistrellus...
Vertebrate ectoparasites frequently play a role in transmission of infectious agents. Pseudogymnoascus destructans is psychrophilic fungus known to cause white-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging disease bats. It transmitted with direct contact between bats or contaminated environment. The aim this study was examine wing mites from the family Spinturnicidae parasitizing hibernating for presence P. propagules as another possible route. Wing collected 33 at four hibernation sites Czech Republic...
Bats are found to be the natural reservoirs for many emerging viruses. In most cases, severe clinical signs caused by such virus infections normally not seen in bats. This indicates differences virus-host interactions and underlines necessity develop host related models study these phenomena. Due strict protection of European bat species, immortalized cell lines only alternative investigate innate anti-virus immune mechanisms. Here, we report about establishment functional characterization...
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans that devastating to Nearctic bat populations but tolerated Palearctic bats. Temperature factor known be important for growth and choice of hibernation. Here we investigated the effect temperature on pathogenic in wild across Palearctic. We modelled body surface bats with respect infection intensity severity were able relate this mean annual at site. Bats hibernated lower temperatures had less fewer skin...
Heavy metals are an important group of toxic substances harmful for many organisms. Of these, mercury is one the most monitored in environment. Several matrices used monitoring environmental load, including a range organisms; bats, however, have only been examined rarely. Insectivorous bats apex predators threatened by several human interventions their natural environment, heavy metal pollution. The aim this study was to analyze content total fur, flight membrane, and pectoral muscle greater...
Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic infection of worldwide occurrence. Bats, like other mammalian reservoirs, may be long-term carriers that maintain endemicity and shed viable leptospires in urine. Direct and/or indirect contact with these Leptospira shedders the main risk factor as regards public health concern. However, knowledge about bat leptospirosis Palearctic Region, Europe particular, poor. We collected urine from 176 specimens 11 species Czech Republic, Poland, Republic Armenia...
Especially in the temperate zone, female bats are exposed to increased energy demands during gestation. In addition, abiotic factors, such as ambient temperature and pathogen load, can significantly affect reproduction success. Bats considered natural reservoirs for a wide variety of pathogenic agents, have developed strong immune systems cope. Nevertheless, very little is known about influence these microorganisms on bat health most infections asymptomatic. this study, we monitored presence...