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Books > Medicine > Other branches of medicine > Pathology > Medical microbiology & virology
Pathogenic bacteria for human and animals have developed sophisticated weapons, termed virulence factors, to ensure their replication and persistence into their hosts. The authors in this volume show a synthesis on how the various host cellular Rho GTPases activities are manipulated by bacteria to fulfil their virulence.
John Walker and Ralph Rapley have collected a wide-ranging group of molecular and biochemical techniques that are the most frequently used in medical and clinical research, especially diagnostics. The authors-well-established investigators who run their own research programs and use the methods on a regular basis-outline the practical procedures for using them and describe a variety of pertinent applications. Among the technologies presented are southern and western blotting, electrophoresis, PCR, cDNA and protein microarrays, liquid chromatography, in situ hybridization, karyotyping, flow cytometry, bioinformatics, genomics, and ribotyping. The applications include assays for mutation detection, mRNA analysis, chromosome translocations, inborn errors of metabolism, protein therapeutics, and gene therapy.
Apoptosis is a regulated, energy-dependent process by which a cell se- destructs. This mechanism of programmed cell death plays an important role in normal development and control of cell numbers in mature a- mals. Apoptosis was initially defined by morphological criteria to describe the distinctive appearance of dying cells that developed nuclear conden- tion, cell shrinkage, and cytoplasmic blebbing. Initiation of the apoptotic process can come from external or internal stimuli and is highly regulated both by molecules that facilitate and by molecules that inhibit the process. Common features of apoptosis include activation of proteases and - cleases, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, chromatin disruption, and translocation of phosphatidylserine from the inner to the outer s- face of the plasma membrane. Apoptotic cells attract phagocytes that - gulf the apoptotic bodies and prevent tissue damage in the region. Intense investigation of the cell death process has defined many molecular features of the pathway by which regulation and execution can be exploited by pathogens.
The development of biotechnology over the last 20 years, and particularly the use of recombinant DNA techniques, has rapidly expanded the opportu- ties for human benefits from living resources. Efforts to reduce pollution, p- vent environmental damage, combat microbial infection, improve food production, and so on can each involve fermentation or the environmental - lease of microorganisms. Many products of fermentation technology, such as alcoholic beverages, bread, antibiotics, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and others, have been influenced by the progress of recombinant DNA techniques. The development of new products or the more efficient manufacturing of those already being produced often involve the use of microorganisms as cell fac- ries for many productions and biotransformations. Microbial Processes and Products is intended to provide practical expe- mental laboratory procedures for a wide range of processes and products me- ated by microorganisms. Although not an exhaustive treatise, it provides a detailed "step-by-step" description of the most recent developments in such applied biotechnological processes. The detailed protocols we provide are cross-referenced in the Notes section, contain critical details, lists of problems and their troubleshooting, as well as safety recommendations that may not n- mally appear in journal articles and can be particularly useful for those un- miliar with specific techniques.
Since the initial establishment of Robert Koch's postulates in the nineteenth century, microbial protein toxins have been recognized as a major factor of bacterial and fungal virulence. An increasing number of proteins produced and secreted by various bacteria, yeasts and plants are extremely toxic and most of them developed remarkably "intelligent" strategies to enter, to penetrate and to finally kill a eukaryotic target cell by modifying or blocking essential cellular components. This book describes the strategies employed by protein toxins to render their pro- and eukaryotic producers a selective growth advantage over competitors. In providing an up-to-date overview on the mode of protein toxin actions, it accommodates biomedically and biologically relevant toxin model systems. As a result, it significantly broadens our perspective on biochemical architecture and molecular ploy behind the lethal principles of pro- and eukaryotic toxins.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been recognized in printed records dating from the sixteenth century, and since the eradication of rinderpest (cattle plague) in the early part of the twentieth century it has been rec- nized as the most important and feared disease of cattle and other dom- tic livestock. The beginning of the twenty-first century brought the worst outbreak of FMD ever experienced in England, which had been completely free of the disease for 33 years. This tragic epidemic, which spread to Northern Ireland, Scotland, France and the Netherlands with severe e- nomic consequences, emphasized the need for further research into better methods for the detection and control of the disease. FMD is caused by a small RNA virus which is highly contagious and can survive in meat and other animal products for long periods at normal pH levels. The virus typically infects cloven-hoofed animals, including c- tle, goats, pigs and sheep, as well as a wide range of non-domesticated a- mals in regions of the world where FMD virus is endemic, such as the Af- can continent. There are seven recognized serotypes of FMD virus, with numerous subtypes, and as a consequence vaccine production and administration is complex and a major debate surrounds every disease outbreak regarding the relative merits of vaccination as opposed to the slaughter of all infected animals.
For volume 2:
Public Health Microbiology: Methods and Protocols is focused on microorganisms that can present a hazard to human health in the course of everyday life. There are chapters dealing with organisms that are directly pathogenic to humans, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi; on organisms that produce toxins during growth in their natural habitats; on the use of bacteriocins produced by such organisms as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria; as well as several chapters on hazard analysis, the use of disinfectants, microbiological analysis of cosmetics, and microbiological tests for sanitation equipment in food factories. Additional chapters look at the use of animals (mice) in the study of the various characteristics of milk and their relationships with lactic acid bacteria in particular. Other chapters focus on special methods for determining particular components of milk. In particular, in Parts I and II, on bacterial and viral pathogens, special attention is given to methods for PCR detection of genes with resistance to tetracycline, as well as to Salmonella enterica; for identification and typing of Campylobacter coli; for detection of the abundance of enteric viruses, hepatitis A virus, and rotaviruses in sewage, and of bacteriophages infecting the O157: H7 strain of Escherichia coli. Part III offers methods for computerized analysis and typing of fungal isolates, for isolation and enumeration of fungi in foods, and for the determination of aflatoxin and zearalenone
Giardia duodenalis (=G. lamblia), Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis are more than just a mouthful for most who might encounter them. These protozoan parasitic agents contribute significantly to the staggering caseload of diarrheal disease morbidity encountered in developing world nations. Compounding the issue of their mere presence is the fact that standard ova and parasite exams frequently do not detect these infections. Detectable stages may be shed intermittently or require specialized staining procedures. Added to this is the often large number of asymptomatic carriers who serve as reservoirs for infecting others. These parasites are also not strangers to more developed nations, having responsibility for both small and large-scale disease outbreaks. In such settings they may be even more difficult to detect simply because they are frequently overlooked in the grand scheme of disease causing possibilities. They share common features; all are Protozoa, all possess trophic stages that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract, all have the ability to produce disease and in some instances death, and all produce environmentally stable cysts or oocysts, which ensure their transmissibility. In other ways, these organisms are profoundly different. Giardia is a flagellate that inhabits the gut lumen in close association with enterocytes. Entamoeba is an amoeba that preferentially inhabits the mucosal region of the gut lumen, but which may, under certain circumstances, become invasive. Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora are obligate intracellular coccidians, each taking up a unique niche within their respective host enterocytes.
**A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022** From the author of Spillover, the book that predicted the pandemic, Breathless is the story of Covid-19 and its fierce journey through the human population, as seen by the scientists tasked with fighting it. Bestelling author David Quammen draws on countless interviews with experts, including leading virologists, to take us inside the global race to understand SARS-CoV-2, it's ever-changing nature and capacity to kill. In doing so, he explains how new viruses emerge when we disrupt ecosystems and suggests why the coronavirus may be here to stay. By peering over the shoulders of the brilliant scientists leading the chase, Breathless uncovers the warnings from infectious diseases experts that went unheeded; and which clues are the most compelling in the hunt for the virus' origin. 'A viral howdunnit that is pacy and unafraid to educate readers' Observer 'A luminous, passionate account of the defining crisis of our time' New York Times 'A classic...a masterpiece' Stanley Prusiner, Nobel Prize Winner 'As close to authoritative history as we have... It reads like a real-time thriller' Chicago Tribune
In Vivo EPR (ESR) is a textbook on this relatively new subject in
biomedical electron spin resonance. While a few chapters have
appeared in special topics volumes in this series, this book covers
the principles and theory, instrumentation as well as the latest
applications at the time of its writing. The authors are
world-renowned experts and pioneers in their fields. This book is
divided into two major sections dealing with theory and
instrumentation, and aspects of biochemistry, in vitro and in vivo
applications. A significant amount of detail is devoted to clinical
applications and the problems and pitfalls encountered in in vivo
spectroscopy and imaging. -History of In Vivo EPR,
New Bacterial Vaccines focuses upon unfulfilled needs for bacterial
vaccines. The increase in drug resistance among many bacterial
species has increased the need for new bacterial vaccines. This
book serves as a comprehensive reference on the major aspects of
developing new bacterial vaccines. The distinctive feature of this
book is that it focuses upon new vaccines now under development by
reviewing key issues for each vaccine target and new technologies
being applied to developing new vaccines.
Interest in biofilms has increased dramatically in recent years. New microscopic and molecular techniques have revolutionized our understanding of biofilm structure, composition, organization and activities. This book brings advances in the prevention and treatment of biofilm-related diseases to the attention of clinicians and medical researchers. Human tissues often support complex microbial communities growing as biofilms that can cause infections. As microbes in biofilms exhibit increased tolerance towards anti-microbial agents and decreased susceptibility to host defense systems, biofilm-associated diseases have become increasingly difficult to treat.
Xenotransplantation could have an impact on at least three aspects of medicine. The first is as a means of overcoming a severe shortage of human donor organs for the treatment of organ failure. The second aspect relates to the possibility that a xenogeneic organ would not be susceptible to infection by a "human" virus and thus the xenograft might resist injury caused by such viruses. The third and, as of yet, unexplored aspect relates to a means of delivering genes for therapeutic purposes thus overcoming some of the limitations of "conventional" gene therapy.
The aberrant replication pathway of foamy viruses distinguishes them from all other retroviruses. Many details have been accumulated over the past ten or so years. Most of the findings on foamy viruses were obtained by research on a single virus isolate previously called "human foamy virus", which appeared to be the first to be investigated on a molecular level. However, to the editor's knowledge, genuine human foamy viruses do not exist, but several trans-species transmissions of different simian foamy viruses from monkeys and apes to human hosts.
Dendritic cells are vital to induce potent anti-viral immune responses. It will become clear to the reader that dendritic cells often play a dual role during viral infections. On the one hand they are able to mount potent antiviral immune responses, and on the other hand several viruses, including HIV-1, use DC as a vector to be transferred from the periphery to the lymph nodes where they infect their prime target.
Severe Infections Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa emphasizes controversies worldwide in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and pathogenesis of pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. By including both chapters written by European authors and chapters written by North American experts, the reader is ensured of receiving a broad spectrum of opinions on controversial topics. Special attention is paid to such topics as the diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by p. aeruginosa, scheduled antibiotic therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis, empiric therapy for febrile neurotropenic patients, combination vs. single agent antibiotic therapy for severely ill patients, and alternatives to conventional antibiotic therapies. This excellent overview of our current understanding of pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis will prove useful to clinicians and microbiologists around the globe.
A unique and timely review of the emergence of eukaryotic virulence in fungi, oomycetes, and protozoa, as they affect both animals and plants "Evolution of Virulence in Eukaryotic Microbes" addresses new developments in defining the molecular basis of virulence in eukaryotic pathogens. By examining how pathogenic determinants have evolved in concert with their hosts, often overcoming innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, the book takes a fresh look at the selective processes that have shaped their evolution. Introductory chapters ground the reader in principal evolutionary themes such as phylogenetics and genetic exchange, building a basis of knowledge for later chapters covering advances in genetic tools, how pathogens exchange genetic material in nature, and the common themes of evolutionary adaptation that lead to disease in different hosts. With the goal of linking the research findings of the many disparate scientific communities in the field, the book: Assembles for the first time a collection of chapters on the diversity of eukaryotic microorganisms and the influence of evolutionary forces on the origins and emergence of their virulent attributesHighlights examples from three important, divergent groups of eukaryotic microorganisms that cause disease in animals and plants: oomycetes, protozoan parasites, and fungiCovers how the development of genetic tools has fostered the identification and functional analyses of virulence determinantsAddresses how pathogens exchange genetic material in nature via classical or modified meiotic processes, horizontal gene transfer, and sexual cycles including those that are cryptic or even unisexualProvides a broad framework for formulating future studies by illustrating themes common to different pathogenic microbes "Evolution of Virulence in Eukaryotic Microbes" is an ideal book for microbiologists, evolutionary biologists and medical professionals, as well as graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members working on the evolution of pathogens.
The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIVs), in particular HIV-1, are the causative agent responsible for the current worldwide epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A major effort has thus been underway over the past two decades to understand and control this pathogen. During this time, an enormous knowledge base has accumulated regarding the role of viral factors in the HIV-1 life cycle, and the interaction of HIV-1 with the host cell is becoming increasingly understood. Certain features of HIV, for example its ability to infect non-dividing cells, are being exploited in the development of novel gene therapy vehicles. This volume provides an overview of the current information regarding the HIV replication cycle and will serve as an introduction to subsequent chapters that address specific aspects of lentiviral-based gene therapy.
"Infection: Microbiology and Management" provides a core resource
for the understanding of medical microbiology and infectious
diseases. Content covers microbiological and clinical diagnosis,
through to clinical management, epidemiology and the control of
infectious conditions as they occur both in the hospital and
community setting. With a concise, systems-based approach, the third edition has
been revised and restructured and now covers wider epidemiological
and public concerns. Key feature boxes, self assessment and case
studies assist learning in each chapter. Designed to be used either as a basic learning text, or as a practical textbook in the clinical setting, "Infection: Microbiology and Management, previously" titled "Infectious Disease," will continue to appeal to students at all stages of their career, candidates for higher examinations, the general physician and surgeon, epidemiologists and experts in public health.
Traces the history of the study of tumor viruses and its role in driving breakthroughs in cancer research. Worldwide, approximately one-fifth of human cancers are caused by tumor viruses, with hepatitis B virus and HPV being the leading culprits. While the explosive growth in molecular biology in the late twentieth century is well known, the role that the study of tumor viruses has played in driving many of the greatest breakthroughs is not. Without the insights gained by studying tumor viruses, many significant theoretical advancements over the last four decades in cellular and molecular biology would not have been made. More practically, the study of tumor viruses has saved thousands, if not millions, of lives. In Cancer Virus Hunters, Gregory J. Morgan traces the high points in the development of tumor virology, from Peyton Rous's pioneering work on chicken tumors in 1909 to the successful development of an HPV vaccine for cervical cancer in 2006. Morgan offers a novel approach to understanding the interconnectedness of a long series of biomedical breakthroughs, including those that led to seven Nobel prizes. Among other advances, Morgan describes and contextualizes the science that prompted the discoveries of reverse transcriptase, RNA splicing, the tumor suppressor p53, the vaccine for hepatitis B, and the HIV test. He also explores how "cancer virus hunters" have demonstrated the virtue of beginning with a simple system, even when investigating a complex disease like cancer. Based on extensive archival research and over fifty interviews with experts, Cancer Virus Hunters is a tour de force summarizing a century of research to show how discoveries made with tumor viruses came to dominate the contemporary understanding of cancer. By showcasing the scientists themselves, the book makes for an unusually accessible journey through the history of science. It will be of interest to biomedical professionals-especially in oncology, hepatology, and infectious disease-in addition to historians of science and anyone interested in cancer research.
Structure-Function Relationships of Human Pathogenic Viruses provides information on the mechanisms by which viruses enter the cell, replicate, package their DNA into capsids and mature into new virions. The relation between structural features and the pathogenicity and oncogenicity of some of the most relevant human viral pathogens are demonstrated and the acquisition of defense mechanisms through virus-host interactions are presented. In contrast to textbooks, this volume combines timely research data to provide a holistic view of viral pathogenesis. Furthermore Structure-Function Relationships of Human Pathogenic Viruses illustrates in a single volume the fundamental processes involved in viral life cycles using up-to-date information from research laboratories around the world. Knowledge of these processes is crucial to develop rationales for the design of future drugs. The timeliness of the data and the comprehensive yet concise approach this book takes in order to present the world of viral pathogens should make it a frontrunner in higher education and R&D.
In the treatment of infections caused by rapidly mutating viruses like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), combination therapy with multiple drugs act ing by different mechanisms offers several advantages over monotherapy. It may provide: synergistic effect, possible reduction of dosages and side-effects, and reduction of the chance of drug resistance. In the past few years, hun dreds of HIV protease inhibitors have been synthesized and tested in order to overcome the limitations of reverse transcriptase inhibitors like zidovudine and others. In this review, emphasis is placed on the development of HIV pro tease inhibitors as antiviral agents against HIY, and structure-activity rela tionship analysis of saquinavir and related compounds. Limitations of some protease inhibitors and ways to overcome the shortcomings are presented. Among these many protease inhibitors five have been marketed during 1995-1999. They are saquinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir and ampre navir. Their different structural features, important physicochemical, phar macokinetic and clinical profiles are presented in a table form for easy com parison. It is hoped that in the future new drugs based on additional mech anisms can be developed for the treatment of AIDS. Contents 4 1 Introduction .................................................................... . HIV protease as a target for chemotherapy ................................... . 2 5 Design of protease inhibitors .................................................. . 3 5 Basis of rational design of HIV protease inhibitors ........................... . 3.1 5 New development of HIV protease inhibitors ................................ . 6 3.2 HIV protease inhibitors on the market ........................................ . 20 4 20 4.1 SAR of saquinavir and related compounds .................................... ."
W. B. Harrison, B. A. C. Dijkmans During the last decade intervention has been instituted for all kinds of disease- even in a premorbid state, as early as possible, to control the activity of the disease, to avoid further damage and to maintain quality of life. Apart from the principle 'Treat now, not later," emphasis is laid on aggressive initial therapy. These adagia have influenced in recent times all fields of medicine, from oncology to infectious diseases and also - the topic of the present edition - the "autoimmune diseases." As an example of the latter, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) demonstrates how the attitude of physicians has been changed. From an expectant point of view in the eighties (primum nil nocere) the attitude has been changed, as we approached and entered the new millennium, to initial ag gressive therapy especially in patients with a poor prognosis. Despite the advance of instituting monotherapy with a single optimised disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) - with methotrexate as prototype agent in RA - adequate disease re mission is not often achieved, and adverse events may well prevent the use of higher dosages of the single agent in question. Therefore, the next step was to combine two or more DMARDs. The choice of combining DMARDs can be purely practical and based upon the anti-rheumatics most used in daily practice, for instance methotrexate and sulphasalazine. The choice of combining drugs can be influenced by different toxicity patterns to avoid cumulative toxicity."
I assume that you already know a good deal of microbiology. In this book, I frequently use the word "we" by which I mean "you and I." Together we are going to consider bacteriology from a broader perspective and we will think our way through the important biological problems that are frequently just skipped over in every microbiology course. My most important reason for writing this book is to make accessible the relevant thinking from fields of science other than microbiology that are important to microbiology. The book is written for people that have already have a fascination with bacteria, but can see that their background for understanding is far complete. This book consists of topics that are largely omitted from microbiology textbooks and includes some mathematics, physics, chemistry, and evolutionary biology. It contains a good deal of my own work, both experimental and theoretical, together with a lot of speculation. If ten times bigger, it would be a full text book on microbial physiology. A third of the microbial physiology is covered by the recent is no longer treated even in textbook by White (2000). Another third current specialized tests and is greatly underrepresented in text books. |
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