Detecting bats with WNS

It almost seems that White Nose Syndrome is being discovered in another state or province daily. Recent news has stated that WNS has been found in Georgia and North Carolina now. There is a lot of talk about where it is discovered, but not much on HOW. How do biologists determine if a bat has contracted this disease that is killing almost 100% of populations that it infects? The answer isn't so simple. Biologists first identified WNS from a picture from Howes cave near Albany New York. Today, a photograph isn't enough evidence to suggest an individual is infected. Biologists typically use one of 3 methods to determine if a bat has WNS. These methods include histology, culture samples, and the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR).  Tape has been used in the past to remove fungal particles from the wings and faces of those presumed infected, however, the three aforementioned methods are considered to be the definite methods for determining infection. Depending on the method used, results can take between hours and weeks before biologists have conclusive answers. Both histology and culture methods require weeks for definitive results but PCR methods allow for rapid answers, sometimes with hours.  Over the course of the next week I intend to go into further detail regarding each of these methods for tracking and determining if populations have WNS.  I also intend to discuss how soil samples from caves have lead to knowledge about WNS.