This paper provides graphic representations of the phylogenetic relatedness of important pathogenic organisms. We have organized the lists according to phylogenetic structure. Important synonyms or previously used names that identify the organisms are also shown. We curated these lists to include organism names that are consistent with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) nomenclature and to provide sequence accession numbers for genomic sequencing projects (if available).

It provides a compilation of lists, taken from the database, of important and/or regulated biological agents from a number of agencies including HHS, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the NIAID, and other sources. This article focuses on the information in the database for pathogens that impact global public health, emerging infectious organisms, and bioterrorist threat agents. To facilitate comprehensive access to information on disease-causing organisms and toxins, we have developed a database known as 'The Microbial Rosetta Stone' that uses a new data model and novel computational tools to manage microbiological data. Not surprisingly, this ambiguity poses a significant hurdle to communication among the diverse communities that must deal with epidemics or bioterrorist attacks. Sometimes a disease rather than a particular organism is mentioned, and often there may be multiple organisms or co-infections capable of causing a particular disease. Organisms are often referred to using common names, alternative spellings, or out-dated or alternative names. Unfortunately, the nomenclature for biological agents on these lists and pathogens described in the literature is imprecise. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains an ever-changing list of notifiable diseases, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) lists agents with potential for use in bioterrorist attacks, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) maintains a list of critical human pathogens. Many different medical and governmental organizations have created lists of the pathogenic microorganisms most relevant to their missions. Infectious microorganisms include species of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Thousands of different microorganisms affect the health and safety of the world's populations of humans, animals, and plants. The database provides public access to up-to-date taxonomic classifications of organisms that cause human diseases, improves the consistency of nomenclature in disease reporting, and provides useful links between different public genomic and public health databases.

The Microbial Rosetta Stone is available at.

This paper focuses on the information in the database for pathogens that impact global public health, emerging infectious organisms, and bioterrorist threat agents. The database structure facilitates linkage to public genomic databases. The database relates microorganism names, taxonomic classifications, diseases, specific detection and treatment protocols, and relevant literature. We have developed a database known as the Microbial Rosetta Stone. This ambiguity can be a significant block to effective communication among the diverse communities that must deal with epidemics or bioterrorist attacks. Many different medical and governmental organizations have created lists of the pathogenic microorganisms relevant to their missions however, the nomenclature for biological agents on these lists and pathogens described in the literature is inexact. Thousands of different microorganisms affect the health, safety, and economic stability of populations.

Block rosetta stone host file