Novel inactivation of the causative fungal pathogen of white-nose syndrome with methoxsalen plus ultraviolet A or B radiation
Open Access
- 11 September 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Public Library of Science (PLoS) in PLOS ONE
- Vol. 15 (9), e0239001
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239001
Abstract
White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease responsible for the rapid decline of North American bat populations. This study addressed a novel method for inactivating Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of WNS, using ultraviolet A (UVA) or B (UVB) radiation in combination with methoxsalen, a photosensitizer from the furanocoumarin family of compounds. Fungal spore suspensions were diluted in micromolar concentrations of methoxsalen (50–500 μM), then exposed to fixed doses of UVA radiation (500–5000 mJ/cm2), followed by plating on germination media. These plates were examined for two to four weeks for evidence of spore germination or inactivation, along with resultant growth or inhibition of P. destructans colonies. Pretreatment of fungal spores with low doses of methoxsalen resulted in a UVA dose-dependent inactivation of the P. destructans spores. All doses of methoxsalen paired with 500 mJ/cm2 of UVA led to an approximate two-log10 (~99%) reduction in spore viability, and when paired with 1000 mJ/cm2, a four-log10 or greater (>99.99%) reduction in spore viability was observed. Additionally, actively growing P. destructans colonies treated directly with methoxsalen and either UVA or UVB radiation demonstrated UV dose-dependent inhibition and termination of colony growth. This novel approach of using a photosensitizer in combination with UV radiation to control fungal growth may have broad, practical application in the future.Funding Information
- Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation (SURCA & DHW)
- Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation (SL2017)
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