Harnessing biologically-based contact-independent antagonisms for control of White-Nose Syndrome in North American bats

The recently identified causative agent of White Nose Syndrome (WNS), Pseduogymnoascus destructans, has been responsible for the mortality of more than 6 million North American bats since its emergence in 2006. In an effort to identify potential biological control options for WNS multiply induced Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP96253 was screened for contact-independent anti-Pseudogymnoascus destructans activity. Induced Rhodococcus exhibits strong inhibition of radial myceial growth and irreversibly inhibits spore germination of P. destructans. Subsequently, induced Rhodococcus inhibited P. destructans growth from spores when cultured in a shared air space with bat tissue explants inoculated with P.destructans spores. Recently a toxicological assessment on healthy, torpid and euthermic, bats revealed no negative effects from exposure to induced Rhodococcus.  Additionally, non-growing fermentation cell paste at 1g ft^-3 was used for in vitro treatment of naturally infected bats resulting in a drastic increase in survival compared to untreated controls. The identification of non-toxic, inducible, growth-media independent, contact-independent, biological agents with substantial anti-P. destructans activity is a significant milestone in the development of tangible tools to combat this devastating disease.