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New research shows that vaccination could reduce the impact of white nose syndrome in bats, marking a turning point in the international fight against one of the most destructive wildlife diseases of modern times.
"This is an important step forward in setting up control mechanisms to combat the devastating spread of white nose syndrome in our important bat populations," said the director. from the USGS, Jim Reilly. "Being able to administer an oral vaccine during hibernation could change the game in our ability to fight one of the most deadly wildlife diseases of modern times."
The white nose syndrome is caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans, or Pd, and has killed millions of bats in North America since 2006. This disease is spread quickly and there is no cure. Recent studies by scientists from the US Geological Survey, the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have shown that bats immunized against Pd are less likely to develop NMS or die from the disease. disease in the first two scientific trials. The results were published today in the journal Scientific Reports.
"Insectivorous bats are incredibly valuable, saving billions of dollars every year from the US agricultural sector in pest control services, "said Tonie Rocke, scientist at USGS, who led the vaccine development team. "Our early studies suggest that an effective vaccine could be a crucial step toward conserving bat populations in North America."
During the trials, scientists administered several vaccine formulations to small brown bats before exposure to Pd and hibernation. They found that bats vaccinated orally or by injection survived faster than non-immune bats. Bats have also developed specific antifungal immune responses. Although the work of selecting the best candidate vaccines is still progressing, the results suggest that vaccination could potentially protect bats or reduce the effects of white nose syndrome by providing immunity against Pd.
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