Ming Chuan University, in collaboration with Taoyuan Hospital, has recently discovered a new species of Streptococcus, Streptococcus taonis sp. nov., which is expected to contribute to disease prevention and treatment. The discovery was achieved through joint research conducted by a microbiology and bioinformatics team from the Department of Biotechnology at Ming Chuan University—comprising faculty members Chen, Yi-Shein, Lee, Yun-Shien, Chang, Yu-Chung, and Wu, Hui-chung Joanna—in cooperation with physician 詹金淦 from Taoyuan Hospital under the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The research team performed microbial genetic analysis and biochemical identification on a blood sample from a one‑year‑and‑nine‑month‑old child, successfully identifying a previously unknown Streptococcus species. The newly discovered bacterium was named Streptococcus taonis sp. nov., incorporating the phonetic elements of Taoyuan’s place name.

Ming Chuan University noted that the discovery of a new Streptococcus species is of significant importance to health and medical science, as Streptococcus bacteria can cause a wide range of diseases, including pharyngitis, skin infections, and more severe conditions such as bacterial endocarditis and sepsis. Different Streptococcus species are associated with different diseases; therefore, identifying new species can help the medical community improve disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

At present, the newly identified strain is closely related to Streptococcus pyogenes. Ming Chuan University explained that the research team employed molecular biology and biochemical techniques to conduct genomic and biochemical analyses, confirming the strain as a novel Streptococcus species. The research findings were submitted to the well‑known microbiology journal Archives of Microbiology and were published on March 15, 2024.

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

https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20240424003523-260418?chdtv