Posted on 02/24/2018 9:59:02 PM PST by nickcarraway
You know you’ve made it when you’ve got a strain of Listeria named after you.
“Listeria costaricensis” is the official name for a new bacteria identified by scientists from the Biotechnology Research Center at the Costa Rican Institute of Technology (TEC). According to a news release from TEC, the Costa Rican researchers, Johnny Peraza and Kattia Núñez, made the discovery in collaboration with scientists from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France.
Listeria is a group of bacteria composed of 18 species, two of which are pathogens, meaning that they cause serious harm to humans or animals that consume foods contaminated by the bacteria, the statement explained. Listeria monocytogenes is the most famous of the pathogens and can cause meningitis, as well as damage to a fetus if contracted by a pregnant woman.
As befits the military-free nature of the country for which it is named, Listeria costaricensis is not harmful, and will in fact help researchers learn more about the bacteria’s more dangerous cousins. It could even lead to the discovery of antibiotics that could help treat people facing bacterial infections.
The bacteria was discovered in water collected from an industrial drain in the province of Alajuela over a period of years. The genetic identification of the sample was carried out in collaboration with the National Listeriosis Reference Center at the Pasteur Institute.
“In Costa Rica, very little research exists in microbiological diversity; despite that, this discovery reflects the diversity of Listeria and shows that in Costa Rica there is fertile ground for this kind of research,” added Javiera Pizarro-Cerda, Research Director of the Pasteur Institute.
Welsh scientists have discovered two new uses for sheep:
Meat and wool.
What? Someone finally examined Michael Moore?
"Bacteria" is plural.
They look, and act like democrats...
Listeria, sounds like a brand of mouthwash.
From the deepest, darkest, skank midnight truck stop, in New Jersey in late July, behind the back side of the last toilet....a life began~.
Does that new type grow in a petri dish? It is difficult to grow bacteria without a nutrient nurture base.
I read once that 97% of bacteria etc.. will not grow in a petri dish—was told all the more reason to wash my hands.
My lowly HS education may well be incorrect.
From illegal aliens to horrible diseases (but I repeat myself), Costa Rica, the country that keeps on giving!
I hear the iguana hunting is good.
Democraticus Pathogenesis
There are dozens of growth mediums, but yes many are difficult to grow in a lab setting.
Costa Rica has very good and growing medical establishment. Thanks to the high cost of medicine in the USA caused by government involment.
I used to have to make periodic forays south of the border, starting in Guadalajara, Monetrrey, and Mexico City, dropping down to Caracas then Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, over to Santiago, up to Lima, Bogotá, Panamá City, San José, Guatemala City, then home. From uncomfortable personal experience I believe that every country in Latin America has it’s own species or subspecies of hysteria, e-coli and probably any number of other types of bacteria.
“From illegal aliens to horrible diseases (but I repeat myself), Costa Rica, the country that keeps on giving“
You may have your countries mixed up. I have never seen or heard of an illegal alien from Costa Rica. It is a relatively peaceful and prosperous country.
Do they really think they’ve found them all?
“Welsh scientists have discovered two new uses for sheep:
Meat and wool.”
This species is important because it is not pathogenic and there are only 15 other non-pathogenic Listeria sp. Such a breakthrough!
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