Specific Alterations in Complement Protein Activity of Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) Hibernating in White-Nose Syndrome Affected Sites

摘要: White-nose syndrome (WNS) is the most devastating condition ever reported for hibernating bats, causing widespread mortality in northeastern United States. The characterized by cutaneous lesions caused a recently identified psychrophilic and keratinophylic fungus (Geomyces destructans), depleted fat reserves, atypical behavior, damage to wings; however, proximate cause of still uncertain. To assess relative levels immunocompetence bats WNS-affected sites compared with unaffected we describe blood plasma complement protein activity little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) based on microbicidal competence assays using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus Candida albicans. Blood from collected during mid-hibernation at had higher bactericidal ability against E. coli S. aureus, but lower fungicidal C. albicans when sites. Within affected mid-hibernation, observed no difference between displaying obvious fungal infections those without. Bactericidal decreased significantly as hibernation progressed an site. were positively correlated body mass index (BMI) late hibernation. We also three microbes within individuals found that M. lucifugus lyse microbial cells differed follows: coli>S. aureus>C. Overall, WNS experience both relatively elevated reduced innate immune responses depending microbe tested, although immunological changes remains unknown. Additionally, considerable trade-offs may exist energy conservation responses. Relationships torpor, including associated expenditure, are likely critical components development WNS.