White-nose syndrome of bats
Published: June 11th, 2010
Revised: June 14th, 2010
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a grave new disease of overwintering bats that has stricken bats throughout North America over the last few years. WNS is caused by a newly-described fungus, Geomyces destructans, first discovered in New York state in 2006. It has so far been found in 11 states and 2 Canadian provinces. The affected bat pictured here was from a Massachusetts (photo by Dr. Jeremy Coleman, US Fish & Wildlife Service)
Bats affected by WNS develop a whitish discoloration on their noses and wings consisting of fungal mycelium emerging from the bat’s skin resulting ultimately in mortality of the affected animal. A wide range of ecologically beneficial bat species are affected. In addition to consuming mosquitoes, many bat species are important predators of night-flying insects such as moths which may be agricultural pests.
Geomyces destructans is a mould that produces densely branched, curving chains of bean-shaped spores. This photo shows a microscopic mount from a 7 day old colony grown on Potato Dextrose agar prepared by our colleague Professor Kathie Hodge from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The fungus does not appear to present an infectious hazard to humans or other animals apart from bats. In bats, the transmission of G. destructans is believed to transmitted by contact; however, it is unknown if the fungus affects only unhealthy bats or if it can infect normal, healthy animals. Although unproven, it is possible that the fungus may “hitchhike” from cave-to-cave on clothing and footwear of inadvertent spelunkers.
Dr. Scott is currently part of a volunteer scientific advisory panel on WNS led by scientists at the US Geological Service. Both Dr. Scott and Dr. Summerbell have published extensively on the fungal group to which G. destructans belongs. Our expertise on this agent uniquely positions us to provide authoritative consultation on this new and devastating pathogen.
Ferro Canada Grand Prix!
Published: June 10th, 2010
Revised: June 10th, 2010
On May 13th two of Sporometrics team raced in Ferro Canada Grand Prix customer appreciation event. It was a fun day of F1 Go Kart racing with the top consulting / engineering firms, property / facility management firms, and a few people from the public sector. The rain didn’t dampen anyone spirits, the wet track probably should have slowed us down, it certainly had us spinning (out, off the track…). It was a great day of racing and the adrenaline filled atmosphere lent itself well to getting to know the people we work with better. Thanks Ferro for hosting this event, it was exactly what one would except from Ferro, superb!
Phytoplasma [M300] NEW!
Published: April 2nd, 2010
Revised: April 2nd, 2010
Phytoplasmas are bacteria-like organisms without cell walls, discovered in 1967 from the phloem of members of the genus Aster manifesting symptoms of “yellows” disease. They belong to the class Mollicutes, along with mycoplasmas, spiroplasmas and other animal parasites, saprophytes, and insect commensals, and affect more than 700 plant species in all continents, many of which are crops of economic interest, and are associated to significant crop losses. Phytoplasmas are transmitted by phloem-feeding leafhoppers, planthoppers and psyllids of the order Hemiptera. Thus far, there has been no substantial evidence to indicate that phytoplasmal diseases are seed-borne. However, they can be spread by vegetative propagation through cuttings, storage tubers, rhizomes, or bulbs, but cannot be transmitted mechanically by sap inoculation as for many plant viruses.
Phytoplasmas have not yet been cultivated in cell-free medium, making progress in their study slow. As a result, very little is known about their pathogenicity, physiology and biology. Molecular tools, mainly polymerase chain reaction-based assays are the best current approaches for phytoplasma detection, identification and characterization. These methods have enabled preliminary classification of phytoplasmas, several of which have achieved ‘Candidatus’ status (this indicates a provisional taxon status at the species level). To date, there 28 groups of phytoplasmas described and more than 40 subgroups, and 26 ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species have been named, forming the core framework of the emerging phytoplasma taxonomy.
Phytoplasmas share a two-host cycle involving plants and insect vectors. Having hosts in two kingdoms imposes constraints on the rapidity of its evolution. Phytoplasmas lack several genes that many bacteria such as E. coli need for metabolism. The small genome size associated with phytoplasmas is due to their being the product of reductive evolution from Bacillus/Clostridium ancestors. They have lost 75% or more of their original genes, and this is why they can no longer survive outside of insects or plant phloem. Their minimal genome makes them the simplest known naturally-occurring self-replicating life-form, on the border between living cellular organisms and viruses.
Phytoplasma-infected plants exhibit a range of symptoms including yellowing, witches’ broom, proliferation, stunting, flower malformation (virescence and phyllody) and general decline.
Sample collection
- Collect young leaves, young shoots or roots following the procedure given by the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau’s Global Plant Clinic.
- Dry off any external moisture from leaves and stems with soft paper tissue to avoid crushing or bruising;
- For fleshy or succulent leaves, wrap in layers of absorbent paper;
- All other types of leaves should be sandwiched between two filter papers dampened with 50% glycerol;
- Stems of plants such as sugarcane can be sealed in wax to prevent dehydration of tissue;
- For all preparations above, place in plastic bags, label, and seal;
- Wrap the stem bases of woody plants in a plastic bag containing damp tissue or vermiculite and hold in place with an elastic band. Place the whole sample in a plastic bag, label and seal; and
- Wash root samples thoroughly in sterile distilled water, place in a plastic bag containing damp tissue or vermiculite, label and seal.
Information required
- Prior to sending samples, please contact Dr Arocha-Rosete (yarosete@sporometrics.com) to arrange for the specific CFIA (Canadian Food and Inspection Agency) import permit, and to be provided with the sample submission form and the corresponding job number;
- Keep a copy of the sample submission form for your records;
- Once you have received the CFIA import permit, fill out the sample submission form properly, quoting the job number provided;
- Attach to the samples to be shipped to Sporometrics Inc, the CFIA import permit and the sample submission form; and
- Shipment to Sporometrics Inc. should be by airmail, and quoting the address specified at the bottom of the page.
Service options
H1N1 and hand cleansers
Published: December 25th, 2009
Revised: December 25th, 2009
The recent emergence of pandemic influenza caused by the H1N1 strain of influenza virus has prompted considerable public concern, and inspired many people to take steps to prevent their exposure to the virus. The use of hand sanitizers is not useful for the prevention of most influenza viruses (they are mostly transmitted through the air). However, recent evidence suggests that contact transmission may be an important means of transmission of the H1N1 strain. Recently, Dr. Scott gave an interview to Metro News on the subject.
Click here to read the interview >
Microbes in public washrooms
Published: September 11th, 2009
Revised: September 12th, 2009
Flush before you sit? Paper the seat? Modern microbiology can shed light on these and other age-old advisories on the use and misuse of public washrooms. In an interview just released in Best Health Magazine, Dr. Scott provides answers to these long disputed questions.
