The Quantitative Effect of Colchicine on the Inhibitory Growth of Pseudogymnoascus destructans

Since 2006, White-nose syndrome (WNS) has affected bat populations in North America through the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). As a result, bats wake during hibernation; they develop severe skin lesions, emaciation, and dehydration; over 90% mortality is often seen. Little is known about Pseudogymnoascus destructans; particularly concerning the possible reactions to other agents in the environment. Varying agents could be tested, in the hope that the fungal growth may be inhibited. Colchicine, a drug used in chemotherapy to halt mitosis, was applied to cultures of Psuedogymnoascus destructans, in the form of a diluted solution. There were five rounds of testing overall. The first three had a control plate with only Pd. This grew alongside two plates, with 15mLand 30mL Colchicine; diluted as 0.5mg Colchicine/1mL PBST. The last two tests again featured controls growing alongside plates of 15mL and 30mL Colchicine, one test with 1mg Colchicine/1mL PBST, the other with 2mg Colchicine/1mL PBST. Plates were incubated for two weeks, and the results were measured visually every few days. Cultures were assessed for inhibition, in the hope to expand the library of agents able to inhibit Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Through the use of the single factor ANOVA, it was assessed that at least the means of inhibition for the control and 30mL are considered statistically significant. This indicates that there is a correlation between higher concentrations of Colchicine and inhibited growth. Colchicine has shown to be a possible agent that could be used to inhibit Pd growth.