A total of 281 guano samples were collected from caves (N = 181) in eight European countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and attics in the Czech R. (N = 100). The correlation of detection of mycobacteria between Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopy and culture examination and qPCR was strong. ZN microscopy was positive in guano from caves (58.6%) more than double than positivity in guano from attics (21.0%; p < 0.01). From 89 mycobacterial isolates (73 isolates from cave guano and 16 isolates from attics' guano), 68 (76.4%) isolates of 19 sp., ssp. and complex were identified as members of three Groups (M. fortuitum, M.chelonae, and M. mucogenicum) and four complexes (M. avium, M. terrae, M.vaccae, and M.smegmatis). A total of 20 isolates (22.5%) belonged to risk group 1 (environmental saprophytes), 48 isolates (53.9%) belonged to risk group 2 (potential pathogens), and none of the isolates belonged to risk group 3 (obligatory pathogens). When comparing bat guano collected from caves and attics, differences (p < 0.01; Mann-Whitney test) were observed for the electrical conductivity, total carbon, total organic, and total inorganic carbon. No difference (p > 0.05; Mann-Whitney test) was found for pH and oxidation-reduction potential parameters.

Central Bohemian Archaeological Heritage Institute Nad Olsinami 448 3 100 00 Prague Czech Republic

Department of Biochemistry and Genetics La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science La Trobe University Bundoora Melbourne VIC 3086 Australia

Faculty of AgriSciences Mendel University in Brno Zemedelska 1 1665 613 00 Brno Czech Republic

Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies Mendel University in Brno Tr Generala Piky 7 613 00 Brno Czech Republic

Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology University of Veterinary Sciences Brno Palackeho Tr 1946 1 612 42 Brno Czech Republic

Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences v v i Kvetna 8 603 65 Brno Czech Republic

Museum Blanenska Zamek 1 1 678 01 Blansko Czech Republic

Public Health Institute Ostrava Partyzanske Nam 7 702 00 Ostrava Czech Republic

Veterinary Research Institute v v i Hudcova 70 621 00 Brno Czech Republic

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