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10 June, 2025Professionals from HUMS and IIS Aragón, among other institutions, have participated in the research.. The bacteria has been named "Mycobacterium servetii» in honor of the Renaissance doctor, as well as the hospital center
A rare scientific milestone has occurred at the Miguel Servet University Hospital. The Microbiology Service has discovered and described a new species of mycobacterium., baptized as Mycobacterium servetii in honor of the illustrious doctor who gives the center its name. This discovery, published in the prestigious International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, places Aragon at the forefront of microbiological research, since the last worldwide discovery of a similar mycobacterium occurred in 2021.
The work has been led by Jesús Viñuelas-Bayón and Alexander Tristancho-Baró, with the collaboration of Sergio Buenestado-Serrano, Darío García de Viedma, Ana Milagro, Natalia Burillo, Sara Sanz, Ana Isabel López-Calleja, Daniel Peñas-Utrilla, Marta Guardingo and María Jesús García, researchers from the Miguel Servet University Hospital, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón) y other collaborating institutions.
Mycobacteria are a group of bacteria widely distributed in nature. They include both pathogenic species that affect human health, such as the one that causes tuberculosis, and harmless species present in the environment, air, and plants.
The exceptional nature of this case lies in the fact that the The hospital's standard diagnostic protocols detected a microorganism that did not match any of the nearly 200 species known to date."In our laboratory, we always identify any bacterial isolate we obtain from patients down to the species level, because not all bacteria have the same clinical relevance," explains Dr. Jesús Viñuelas-Bayón, co-author of the study. "In this case, we were unable to identify it using traditional means, so we continued testing until we obtained genetic sequencing that confirmed it was a new bacterium."
Cutting-edge technology and scientific rigor
It was precisely this combination of cutting-edge technology and scientific rigor that enabled the discovery. The team used next-generation genomic sequencing (Illumina and MinION) together with MALDI-TOF spectrometry, techniques available in the hospital itself that demonstrate its diagnostic capacity "This discovery has been possible thanks, on the one hand, to the fact that the Servet's Microbiology Laboratory has cutting-edge technology, and on the other hand, that it also has professionals capable of interpreting and giving value to the data generated", highlights Alexander Tristancho. "This reflects the scientific potential that exists in Aragon And, personally, I am proud to have trained at this center,” he adds.
Genomic analysis confirmed that M. servetii It presents less than 95% similarity with other known mycobacteria, being M. helveticum (discovered in 2021) its closest relative. Laboratory tests showed its rapid growth in cultures (4-5 days), a distinctive feature compared to other slower-growing mycobacteria. While its pathogenic capacity has not been demonstrated - the patient improved after treating the coinfection with Moraxella catarrhalis-, the researchers carried out a comprehensive study of antibiotic resistance, a common practice in the characterization of new microbial species. “The importance This finding has at least two aspects: one scientific, For the description of a new bacterial species, which is unusual, and other clinic, for the value it represents increase knowledge of bacteria that can affect humans"," Viñuelas points out. "That's why we also study their sensitivity to different antibiotics, so we're prepared in case it becomes necessary to treat an infection caused by this species in the future."
The results, already incorporated into international databases, showed resistance to ciprofloxacin but sensitivity to clarithromycin and other key antimicrobials. The next steps to be taken will be focused on studying the possible presence of M. servetii in other patients.
The name chosen for the new bacteria pays homage to Miguel Servet, the 16th-century Aragonese physician who first described pulmonary circulation. «EIt is a nod to our scientific heritage and the innovative spirit that continues to guide our daily work.", concludes Dr. Viñuelas.
Complete article: Tristancho-Baró, A., Buenestado-Serrano, S., García de Viedma, D., Milagro, A., Burillo, N., Sanz, S., … & Viñuelas-Bayón, J. (2025). Mycobacterium servetii sp. nov., a novel rapid-growing nontuberculous mycobacterial species recovered from a human patient in Zaragoza, Spain. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 75(3), 006727. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.006727
Source: Aragon Today
Main Image: Professionals from HUMS and IIS, among other institutions, participated in the research. Government of Aragon