More than thirty new species of bacteria discovered in patient samples

The reliable identification of cultivated germs is essential in clinical bacteriology. (Photo: Sylvia Suter, University Hospital Basel) Unknown germs are a common occurrence in hospitals. Researchers at the University of Basel have spent many years collecting and analyzing them. They have identified many new species of bacteria, some of which are significant for clinical practice. Bacterial infections can be treated more efficiently if the cause of the disease is known. In most cases, all it takes to identify a pathogen is an analysis in a medical laboratory. Sometimes, however, the standard methods are insufficient - for example, if the species of bacteria has not yet been classified or is particularly difficult to grow.