A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal

Heterothermy and antifungal responses in bats




AuthorsWhiting-Fawcett Flora, Field Kenneth A, Puechmaille Sébastien J, Blomberg Anna S, Lilley Thomas M

PublisherCURRENT BIOLOGY LTD

Publication year2021

JournalCurrent Opinion in Microbiology

Journal name in sourceCURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY

Journal acronymCURR OPIN MICROBIOL

Volume62

First page 61

Last page67

Number of pages7

ISSN1369-5274

eISSN1879-0364

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2021.05.002

Web address https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2021.05.002

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/66459954


Abstract
Hibernation, a period where bats have suppressed immunity and low body temperatures, provides the psychrophilic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans the opportunity to colonise bat skin, leading to severe disease in susceptible species. Innate immunity, which requires less energy and may remain more active during torpor, can control infections with local inflammation in some bat species that are resistant to infection. If infection is not controlled before emergence from hibernation, ineffective adaptive immune mechanisms are activated, including incomplete Th1, ineffective Th2, and variable Th17 responses. The Th17 and neutrophil responses, normally beneficial antifungal mechanisms, appear to be sources of immunopathology for susceptible bat species, because they are hyperactivated after return to homeothermy. Non-susceptible species show both well-balanced and suppressed immune responses both during and after hibernation.

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