Ming Chuan University, in collaboration with Taoyuan Hospital, has recently discovered a new streptococcus strain named “Streptococcus taonis sp. nov.,” which holds promise for aiding in the prevention and treatment of diseases. The research was conducted by a team of microbiologists and bioinformaticians from Ming Chuan University’s Department of Biotechnology, including Chen Yishen, Li Yuxian, Zhang Youzhong, and Professor Wu Huizhong, in cooperation with Dr. Jan Jin-Gan from the Taoyuan Hospital, a medical institution affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The research team performed microbial gene analysis and biochemical identification on a blood sample from a 1-year and 9-month-old child, successfully identifying a new strain of streptococcus. This newly discovered strain was named “Streptococcus taonis sp. nov.,” incorporating the pronunciation of the locality, Taoyuan.

Ming Chuan University emphasizes the significance of discovering a new strain of streptococcus in the realms of health and medicine, as streptococcus can cause various diseases, including pharyngitis, skin infections, and more severe conditions such as bacterial endocarditis and sepsis. Different strains of streptococcus may lead to different diseases, so understanding the existence of a new strain can aid the medical community in better preventing, diagnosing, and treating related illnesses.

Currently, this new strain shares a close relationship with “Streptococcus pyogenes.” Ming Chuan University explains that the team utilized molecular biology and biochemical techniques to conduct genomic and biochemical analyses on this strain, confirming it as a new species of streptococcus. The related research findings have been submitted to the renowned microbiology journal “Archives of Microbiology” and were published on March 15, 2024.

Ming Chuan University underscores that this research discovery will contribute to a deeper understanding of streptococcal diversity and its impact on human health, providing new scientific grounds for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.