A plea for caution before changing bacterial names in databases

Marie-Laurence Baille

because incorrect names in databases can lead to incorrect analysis with medical impact

Jose Gonzalez Hernandez

The continous name changing makes impossible to track and link previous research. Different names appear in different databases and tools; this makes reconciliation of outputs very difficult if at all possible. I am in favor of a cautious approach and will encourage everyone involved to work together to find a way to synchronize names across databases.

Carlos Martínez

This will simplify my work, avoid mistakes and make science more reproducible

Sasha Noscow

The best is the enemy of the good.

Robert Hamilton

The changes, while understandable from a perspective of pure phylogeny, offer no clinical value and confuse practitioners caring for patients. A system that does not conflate phylogenetic relationships and names should be created, similar to the common and scientific names of Animalia.

Cynthia Chappell

I support this proposal. Consistent nomenclature is essential to promoting good communications in clinical and research publications.

edoardo carretto

As director of a hospital clinical microbiology laboratory, I fully support this proposal. Clinical mycology shows what happens when nomenclatural changes reach the bench faster than consensus does. Recent fungal reclassifications include Candida glabrata → Nakaseomyces glabratus, C. krusei → Pichia kudriavzevii, C. lusitaniae → Clavispora lusitaniae, and the proposed Fusarium/Neocosmospora split. Fungi are governed by a different nomenclatural code, but the practical consequences are the same.

Aimee Ward

Since taxonomy is a human concept make to make the identification of organisms easier, its agreeable to actually make it easier.

Tatiana Stratulat

As a biotechnologist working with bacterial strains, stable nomenclature is essential for reliable strain identification, data traceability, and reproducibility of research.

Ihsanawati Ihsanawati

I agree with this plea, not to create other problem

Franca Rossi

Bacterial names are not only for taxonomista but also for medical and veterinary professionals who must rely on consistency in taxon identification in clinical samples in different historical periods

Muhammad Asif

Changing name should be avoided

Jan Gawor

I support this initiative. As a biotechnologist and microbiologist I must say that consistent nomenclature is essential in my field.

Lance van der Merwe

I am a Microbiology student and frequently use these databases, and any unnecessary change would be detrimental not just to my projects and workflow, but also have a massive impact on the workings of major clinical corporations

Daniel W

Many users of scientific names of bacteria, not least in the fields of human and veterinary medicine, complain about frequent changes to these names. The problem seems to occur more often in public databases than in the literature. The petition attempts to persuade these databases to take a more cautious approach.

Roland Sohmen

Communication between scientist of different fields will be serious hampered if frequent changes of bacterial names happens, especially in the field of medicine and occupatioanal health, e.g. Chlamydia to Chlamydophilia to Chlamydia. Candia auris to Candidozymas auris

Harriet Wilson

Rapid and accurate communication is essential for medical practitioners, while keeping pace with changes in prokaryotic taxonomy is not.

Dana Nováková

Taxon names change too frequently, and this adds no value.

John Turnidge

I have responsibility for certain documents created by EUCAST. Name changes are a constant headache

Sandro Furini

Consultazione affidabile.