James M. Turner Trent K. Bollinger Vikram Misra Paul M. Cryan David S. Blehert Gudrun Wibbelt Craig K. R. Willis Lisa Warnecke 2013 <p>White-nose syndrome is devastating North American bat populations but we lack basic information on disease mechanisms. Altered blood physiology owing to epidermal invasion by the fungal pathogen<span>&nbsp;</span><i>Geomyces destructans</i><span>&nbsp;</span>(<i>Gd</i>) has been hypothesized as a cause of disrupted torpor patterns of affected hibernating bats, leading to mortality. Here, we present data on blood electrolyte concentration, haematology and acid–base balance of hibernating little brown bats,<span>&nbsp;</span><i>Myotis lucifugus</i>, following experimental inoculation with<span>&nbsp;</span><i>Gd</i>. Compared with controls, infected bats showed electrolyte depletion (i.e. lower plasma sodium), changes in haematology (i.e. increased haematocrit and decreased glucose) and disrupted acid–base balance (i.e. lower CO₂<span>&nbsp;</span>partial pressure and bicarbonate). These findings indicate hypotonic dehydration, hypovolaemia and metabolic acidosis. We propose a mechanistic model linking tissue damage to altered homeostasis and morbidity/mortality.</p> application/pdf 10.1098/rsbl.2013.0177 en Royal Society Publishing Pathophysiology of white-nose syndrome in bats: A mechanistic model linking wing damage to mortality article