The use of genomic DNA sequences as type material for valid publication of bacterial species names will have severe implications for clinical microbiology and related disciplines
Abstract
The bacterial species is the basis for the study, identification, and diagnosis in medical and veterinary microbiology. More than 2000 species have been isolated from humans, while more than 100 are considered to be serious human pathogens (Hugon et al., 2015, Janda, 2017).
The process for establishing an unequivocal nomenclature of bacteria is standardized and maintained internationally (Prokaryotic nomenclature up-to-date, n.d, Parte, 2018). Scientific publishers are trying to comply with this nomenclature as do internal identifiers in databases, including those relevant for diagnostics.
Valid publication of species names defines 1 "type" strain, e.i., as the reference standard for taxonomic investigations and standardization of diagnostics tests.