Bacterial Identification for Publication: When Is Enough Enough?

The accurate and definitive identification of microorganisms, including bacteria, is one of the cornerstones forming the joint foundation of the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases.Identification is based upon the labeling of bacteria, parasites, and fungi with appropriate binomial names of Latin or Greek origin.Bacterial nomenclature thus provides the foundation from which host-parasite disease relationships are defined, therapeutic regimens are developed, and epidemiological investigations (e.g., comparative analysis of bacterial strains involved in outbreaks) are instigated.