BLASTOMYCES-DERMATITIDIS IN BATS - 1ST REPORT OF ITS ISOLATION FROM THE LIVER OF RHINOPOMA-HARDWICKEI-HARDWICKEI GRAY

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 23  (1) , 69-76
Abstract
B. dermatitidis is reported for the first time from the liver of R. hardwickei hardwickei Gray (the lesser rat-tailed bat); it was cultured from 1 of 46 samples of the bat captured on Dec. 10, 1982, from the basement of Safdar-Jang Tomb, a historical monoment in New Delhi [India]. The fungus was not found in 581 other bats representing R. hardwickei hardwickei, 3 more insectivorous and 1 frugivorous species investigated from several sites in Delhi and New Delhi metropolitan areas. The identity of the isolate was based upon its macroscopic and microscopic cultural morphology, dimorphic character and verification of pathogenicity for white mice. It was further confirmed by determining the capacity of the isolate to produce the A'' exoantigen specific for B. dermatitidis. The infected bat did not manifest any obvious clinical signs and symptoms of illness. Its visceral organs were free from macroscopic lesions, and histopathologically none of them including the liver, revealed any fungal elements or tissue response. B. dermatitidis was not found in any of the 34 samples of bat guano investigated by direct culture or mouse-inoculation technique. The results reinforce the available evidence for the endemic occurrence of B. dermatitidis in India and focus on the possible role of R. harwickei hardwickei as a natural host or vector for this pathogen.

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