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Re-defining the culturing method for Pseudogymnoascus destructans incorporating viability detection
Braden D Mays1, Riley F Bernard2, Zachary P Roehrs3
1Botany Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States of America; Biology Department, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY, United States of America.
Journal of Microbiological Methods
|April 9, 2026
Summary
Standardized cultivation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus causing white-nose syndrome in bats, was achieved using potato dextrose agar and yeast peptone dextrose agar. This improves fungal diagnostics and risk assessment for bat conservation.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Wildlife Pathology
- Bat Conservation
Background:
- Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) causes white-nose syndrome, leading to mass bat mortality in North America.
- Current detection methods focus on nucleic acids, failing to assess fungal viability.
- Lack of standardized cultivation hinders understanding of Pd pathogenicity and ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish standardized in vitro cultivation methods for Pseudogymnoascus destructans.
- To identify optimal media for Pd growth and conidia development.
- To improve the accuracy of fungal risk assessment for bat populations.
Main Methods:
- Testing a pure culture of Pd on various media types at different concentrations.
- Evaluating media for supporting Pd growth and minimizing competing fungal isolates.
- Developing a standard protocol for environmental swab sampling.
Main Results:
- Potato dextrose agar and yeast peptone dextrose agar were identified as optimal media for Pd cultivation.
- Selected media supported timely fungal growth and conidia development.
- The standardized protocol minimizes growth of competing fungal species.
Conclusions:
- Standardized cultivation of Pd is essential for understanding its ecology and pathogenicity.
- Optimized media and protocols enhance diagnostic accuracy for white-nose syndrome.
- Improved methods aid regional management and research on Pd transmission and bat impacts.
