Enteric nematodes and Sarcina-like bacteria in a brown long-eared bat

THERE has been limited investigation into diseases of bats in Great Britain, apart from European bat lyssavirus (EBLV) surveillance and, more recently, surveillance for evidence of Geomyces destructans , the fungal cause of white nose syndrome (WNS) in North America. Dead bats are infrequently found, and this, combined with rapid autolysis, are the main reasons why studies on bat disease are scarce. Here we report on the postmortem examination findings in a brown long-eared bat ( Plecotus auritus ) from Devon, submitted for G destructans surveillance. The carcase weighed 8 g and there was a moderate degree …