Co-existence of bats with a wide range of infectious agents relates to their co-evolutionary history and specific physiology. Here, we examined blood samples collected during hibernation and the post-hibernation period to assess the influence of trypanosomes and babesias on the health status of 50 Noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula) using nested PCR. The impact of blood parasites on health was assessed by analysis of haematology and blood chemistry parameters in 21 bats. Prevalence of trypanosomes (Trypanosoma dionisii and T. vespertilionis) and babesia (Babesia vesperuginis) was 44% and 8%, respectively. Analysis of blood parameters indicated impact of babesia on acid-base balance. Blood chemistry parameters showed a significant decrease in total dissolved carbon dioxide and bicarbonate, increased anion gap, and no change in blood pH, suggesting compensated metabolic acidosis. Adverse effects of babesia were only apparent in hibernating bats. Our results suggest differences in the pathogenicity of trypanosomes and babesia in bats. While trypanosomes in general had no significant impact on the health status, we observed alterations in the blood acid-base balance in Babesia-infected bats during hibernation. Despite being infected, Babesia-positive bats survived hibernation without showing any clinical signs.

Bat Rehabilitation Center of Feldman Ecopark Lisne 62340 Kharkiv Ukraine

Biology Centre Institute of Parasitology Czech Academy of Sciences 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health University of Veterinary Sciences 61242 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Botany and Zoology Masaryk University 61137 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals Game Fish and Bees University of Veterinary Sciences 61242 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University 12800 Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Vertebrate Biology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic 60365 Brno Czech Republic

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