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Pneumocystis carinii: has the name really been changed?
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. francis_gigliotti@urmc.rochester.edu
Summary
The renaming of Pneumocystis carinii is debated. Botanical nomenclature validates naming processes, not scientific correctness, so the scientific community should decide on new names.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Microbial Taxonomy
Background:
- The organism formerly known as *Pneumocystis carinii* has undergone proposed name changes.
- These proposed changes have generated significant confusion and controversy within the scientific community.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the implications of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) regarding the renaming of *Pneumocystis carinii*.
- To inform authors, reviewers, and editors about the distinction between valid publication and scientific correctness in nomenclature.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the role and limitations of the ICBN in taxonomic decisions.
- Review of the process by which scientific names are validated versus accepted.
Main Results:
- The ICBN validates the *process* of naming organisms, not the scientific accuracy of the proposed names.
- Formal acceptance of new names by the ICBN does not automatically mandate their adoption by the scientific community.
Conclusions:
- The scientific community must critically evaluate the proposed nomenclature for *Pneumocystis carinii* based on scientific merit.
- Journal editors and reviewers should not mandate the use of newly proposed names without community consensus.
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