Drug-resistant infections are one of the greatest threats to human health, and with resistance on the rise, appropriate antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is more important than ever. This book, written by nurses for nurses, provides a clear and concise approach to good practice in this vital area. Exploring all aspects of AMS, this new book is underpinned by a competency framework endorsed by scientific and professional societies, including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). It explains the practices that ensure optimal use of antibiotics for the best clinical outcome, with both minimal toxicity to the patient and minimal impact on subsequent antimicrobial resistance. This book, the first applied directly to antimicrobial stewardship for nurses, supports standards of proficiency for registered nurses, and can therefore be used by regulators and professional bodies to inform standards of proficiency and guidance. The book covers infection prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, diagnosis of infection and appropriate antimicrobial use, patient engagement, collaboration between professions and how to implement AMS in nursing practice. Including learning tools such as objectives, practical case studies and questions throughout, as well as lecture slides, this book is an essential read for undergraduate nursing students and specialist nurses worldwide. This book is authored by a multi-national group of experts with representation from professional associations, universities and national public health agencies, such as: - Royal College of Nursing, UK - Cardiff University, UK - University of Sao Paulo, Brazil - Public Health England, UK - National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Australia

This edited volume provides insights about the molecular virology, pathoenesis of infection and host responses to varicella-zoster virus, which is a medically important human herpesvirus. The chapters not only discuss genetics and molecular evolution of the virus, but also new structure-based knowledge on the functions of viral glycoproteins. Further, the authors illustrate how mechanisms from the virus are used to take over and remodel host cells during pathogeneis. These mechanisms also enable viral modulation of host cells and evasion of the host immune response. Part of these evasion and survival strategies, is the reaction to triggered host cell responses like autophagy, the stress response, modulation of apoptosis and other cell death pathways. This hands-on knowledge is crucial for students and clinicians in Virology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases. Chapter "Common features between stroke following varicella in children and stroke following herpes zoster in adults" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via Springerlink.com.

Origin and General Nature of Retroviruses; H.M. Temin. Structure and Classification of Retroviruses; J.M. Coffin. Evolutionary Potential of Complex Retroviruses; G.M. Myers, G.N. Pavlakis. Retroelements in Microorganisms; D.J. Garfinkel. Biology of Avian Retroviruses; L.N. Payne. Retroviruses in Rodents; C.A. Kozak, S. Ruscetti. 1 additional article. Index.

A major objective of this open access book is to summarize the current status of Buruli Ulcer (BU) research for the first time. It will identify gaps in our knowledge, stimulate research and support control of the disease by providing insight into approaches for surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of Buruli Ulcer. Book chapters will cover the history, epidemiology diagnosis, treatment and disease burden of BU and provide insight into the microbiology, genomics, transmission and virulence of Mycobacterium ulcerans.

This book provides an up-to-date overview on the biology of microsporidia, focusing on areas where significant progress has been made in recent years. In particular, our understanding of the evolutionary position and the role of genome reduction in the biology of these enigmatic intracellular pathogens is discussed. This book also offers important updates on the mechanisms used by these organisms to modify the host cell biology of mammals, insects, nematodes, and aquatic animals, as well as the mechanisms controlling infection and host specificity. Readers gain a detailed overview of the structure and function of the polar tube, the unique invasion apparatus of microsporidia, as well as the physics and dynamics of spore firing. Particular attention is given to chronic infections in mammals caused by microsporidia, as well as common immune responses. Written by an international team of authors representing the main research groups working on microsporidian biology, this book is a valuable resource for health management professionals, experienced microbiologists, and early career scientist alike who want to learn more about these fascinating parasites. The ideas and latest finding covered in this book contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being. Chapter "Impact of Genome Reduction in Microsporidia" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

The groundbreaking science behind the surprising source of good health Stanford University's Justin and Erica Sonnenburg are pioneers in the most exciting and potentially transformative field of human health and wellness, the study of the relationship between our bodies and the trillions of organisms representing thousands of species to which our bodies play host, the microbes we call the microbiota. The Sonnenburgs argue that the microbiota determines in no small part whether we're sick or healthy, fit or obese, sunny or moody-and that the microbiota has always been with us, coevolving with humans and entwining its functions with ours. They show us that humans are really composite organisms with microbial and human parts. But now, because of changes to diet, antibiotic over-use, and over-sterilization, our gut microbiota is facing a "mass extinction event," which may explain the mysterious spike in some of our most troubling modern afflictions, from food allergies to autism, cancer to depression. It doesn't have to be this way. The Good Gut is a groundbreaking work that offers a new plan for health that focuses on how to nourish your microbiota, including recipes and a menu plan. The Sonnenburgs show how we can keep our microbiota off the endangered species list and strengthen the community that inhabits our gut and thereby improve our own health. In this important and timely investigation, they look at safe alternatives to antibiotics; dietary and lifestyle choices to encourage microbial health; the management of the aging microbiota; and the nourishment of your own individual microbiome. Caring for our gut microbes may be the most important health choice we can make.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was discovered over one hundred years ago after observing the death of microorganisms upon exposure to dyes and light. It is the combination of non-toxic dyes and harmless visible light that, in the presence of oxygen, produce highly toxic reactive species. The principal medical application during the last century was in cancer therapy but, in these days of rising antibiotic resistance, PDT shows increasing promise as an alternative approach to treating infections. PDT has also been used in blood product sterilization, peridontology, acne reduction, and the treatment of viral lesions such as those caused by human papilloma virus. It may also have potential as an environmentally friendly pesticide. This is the first and only book to comprehensively cover the use of light and photosensitising agents for controlling microbial pathogens. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of an emerging field. There are several chapters on the design of antimicrobial photosensitizers, their use to kill pathogenic organisms and their success in treating infections in animal models. It has long been known that gram-positive bacteria are highly susceptible to photoinactivation but the book also discusses means of widening the range of microorganisms that can be tackled by PDT. Edited by two pioneers in the application of PDT to medical and environmental issues, this book covers the basic science, translational research in animals, and the clinical applications in various medical specialities. It represents an indispensable resource for microbiologists and infectious disease doctors as well as dentists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists and transfusion specialists.

This issue, Guest Edited by Drs. Shyam Mohapatra and Gary Hellermann, will include topics such as: Virus-induced airway injury and asthma inception; Pediatric infectious diseases and asthma; Rhinoviruses and inception or exacerbation of asthma; Respiratory syncytial virus infections in the adult asthmatic-role of viral subversion and host susceptibility in RSV infection; New rhinovirus clades and their significance in asthma exacerbation and airway remodeling; Metapneumovirus and asthma.

Viruses are the causes of approximately 25% of human cancers. Due to their importance in carcinogenesis, there is a desperate need for a book that discusses these viruses. This book is therefore timely, providing a comprehensive review of the molecular biology of oncogenic viruses and the cancers they cause. Viruses that are discussed in the individual chapters include hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human papilloma viruses, Epstein????????????Barr virus, Kaposi's sarcoma virus and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1. This book provides up-to-date information for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical students, physicians and non-experts who are interested in learning more about the oncogenic viruses and how they cause human cancers.

Foodborne pathogens continue to cause major public health problems worldwide. These organisms are the leading causes of illness and death in less developed countries, killing approximately 1.8 million people annually. In developed countries, foodborne pathogens are responsible for millions of cases of infectious gastrointestinal diseases each year, costing billions of dollars in medical care and lost productivity. In addition, new foodborne diseases are likely to emerge driven by factors such as pathogen evolution, changes in agricultural and food manufacturing practices, and changes to the human host status. A third problem is that there are growing concerns that terrorists could use pathogens to contaminate food and water supplies in attempts to incapacitate thousands of people and disrupt economic growth. Fuelled by these concerns, research into the genomics, molecular biology, and microbiology of the most important foodborne pathogens has escalated to unprecedented levels in recent

Associations between the composition of the intestinal microbiome and many human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and cancer, have been elegantly described in the past decade. Now, whole-genome sequencing, bioinformatics, and precision gene-editing techniques are being combined with centuries-old therapies, such as fecal microbiota transplantation, to translate current research into new diagnostics and therapeutics to treat complex diseases. Bugs as Drugs provides a much-needed overview of microbes in therapies and will serve as an excellent resource for scientists and clinicians as they carry out research and clinical studies on investigating the roles the microbiota plays in health and disease. In Bugs as Drugs, editors Robert A. Britton and Patrice D. Cani have assembled a fascinating collection of reviews that chart the history, current efforts, and future prospects of using microorganisms to fight disease and improve health. Sections cover traditional uses of probiotics, next-generation microbial therapeutics, controlling infectious diseases, and indirect strategies for manipulating the host microbiome.

The book begins with a review of zoonotic pandemics of the past: the "Black Death" or bubonic plague of the Middle Ages, the Spanish Influenza pandemic (derived from avian influenza) of the early 20th century, to the more modern pandemic of AIDS/HIV infection, which originated in Africa from primates. However, the majority of chapters focus on more recent zoonoses, which have been recognized since the late 20th century to the present: * SARS and MERS coronaviruses* New avian influenza viruses * The tick-borne Henan fever virus from China* The tick-borne Heartland virus from the United States * Recently recognized bacterial pathogens, such as Streptococcus suis from pigs. In addition, reemergence of established zoonoses that have expanded their niche are reviewed, such as the spread of Zika virus and Chikungunya virus to the Western Hemisphere, and the emergence and spread of Ebola virus infection in Africa. A chapter is also devoted to an overview of the mechanisms and various types of animals involved in the transmission of diseases to humans, and the potential means of control and prevention. Many endemic and sporadic diseases are still transmitted by animals, through either direct or indirect contact, and zoonoses are estimated to account for about 75% of all new and emerging infectious diseases. It is predicted by public health experts that the next major pandemic of infectious disease will be of animal origin, making Emerging Zoonoses: A Worldwide Perspective a crucial resource to all health care specialists by providing them with much needed information on these zoonotic diseases.iv>

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the discovery of Natural Killer (NK) cells, this volume focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of NK cell development and differentiation and their acquisition of functional properties, as well as the latest models for NK-cell analysis in mice and applications in clinical medicine. NK cells have travelled a circuitous path from their initial description as 'spontaneous killers' (for some simply an experimental artifact) to being a bona fide subset of innate lymphoid cells with a complementary mode of action in immune defense and an important mediator of immune reactivity in health and disease. Together, these reviews provide a timely and concise picture of the evolution of NK cells as essential agents in immunity and as potent weapons against disease. This book offers an appealing and insightful resource for scientists and clinicians.

This volume provides a modern look on the age-old influenza infection and the preventive role of anti-influenza shots. Influenza pandemic outbreaks are unrelenting despite the growing understanding of the molecular basis of viral infection and its spreads. A leap in medical technologies has revolutionized the design of new influenza vaccines. The chapters cover vaccination strategies in various age-groups of people and provide the extensive amount of knowledge on the immune response to influenza vaccination in a spectrum of disease conditions.

This book offers an analytical look at the much debated risks and benefits of the newly developed COVID-19 mRNA-vaccines. As such, it is one of the first books to give a comprehensive overview of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and the only one that addresses this topic from a broad multidisciplinary background. It brings together insights from various underlying disciplines on the challenges of developing and evaluating the most suitable vaccines for mass vaccination programs enrolled throughout the world - focusing on safety and efficacy. This book should not be missing on the shelf of any biomedical researcher, epidemiologist, public health professional or clinical researcher interested in SARS-CoV2 or virology and vaccine development in general.

Prescott's Principles of Microbiology provides a balanced, comprehensive introduction to all major areas of microbiology. Because of this balance, Prescott's Principles of Microbiology is appropriate for microbiology majors and mixed majors courses. The authors have focused on readability, artwork, and the integration of several key themes, including evolution, ecology and diversity, throughout the text, making an already superior text even better.

Microbiology for the Healthcare Professional, 3rd Edition offers an excellent foundation for understanding the spread, treatment, and prevention of infectious disease - critical knowledge for today's healthcare professional. This straightforward introductory text makes microbiology approachable and easy to learn, presenting just the right level of information and detail to help you comprehend future course material and apply concepts to your new career. UNIQUE! Why You Need to Know and Life Application boxes make the content more relevant by putting material in a real-world context, helping you understand how concepts apply to everyday situations. UNIQUE! Medical Highlights boxes in each chapter provide anecdotal information about a pathological condition mentioned in the chapter, with illustrations and updates on new trends and information specific to the healthcare industry. UNIQUE! Health Care Application tables in each chapter provide quick access to focused information on pathogens as they relate to the subject matter of the chapter, including symptoms, causes, and treatments for a given condition/pathogen when applicable. Timesaving focus on just the necessary information provides the ideal level of introductory microbiology coverage. Chapter outlines and key terms for every chapter enable more efficient learning. Learning objectives clarify chapter goals and guide you through the content. Twenty review questions at the end of each chapter test your retention and help you identify areas requiring further study. NEW! The Bigger Picture section in each body system chapter identifies other body systems that might be affected by a particular microbial infection. NEW! Technology Boxes highlight new technology, such as artificial intelligence, that is becoming more essential to diagnosis and treatment in the healthcare field.

Rhabdoviruses and Filoviruses are single-stranded, non-segmented, negative-strand RNA viruses, many of which cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Certain members of these virus families have been used as excellent model systems to understand the molecular biology of replication, host responses to infections, and viral countermeasures. Rhabdoviruses have also been used as vaccine vectors as well as oncolytic agents.Studies on Filoviruses have now provided significant insights into how they enter susceptible cells, replicate and cause disease, and also how they evade the host's immune mechanisms. This book addresses the most recent findings on Rhabdovirus and Filovirus structure, replication mechanisms, host cell responses to virus infections and viral countermeasures. Chapters on emerging viruses as well as approaches for therapeutic interventions have also been included.This book represents an authoritative text that brings together the most recent advances on the cellular and molecular biology of Rhabdo- and Filoviruses, including mechanisms of pathogenesis.

Infections caused by fungi have recently attracted the attention of both clinicians and basic researchers given the heavy burden they represent for any health system. The mortality and morbidity rates associated to mycosis are progressively rising simply because some of these diseases are still neglected by health-care workers and due to the changing sensitivity to antifungal drugs displayed by these organisms. In this book, both researchers and clinicians working in the medical mycology field explore the most recent literature about specific mycosis; placing in one concise chapter thoroughly revisions of the current knowledge on virulence factors, recognition by immune cells, immunoevasion, epidemiology, new diagnosis trends and therapeutics. This book is recommended to researchers, physicians and students interested in medical mycology.

In recent years, advanced molecular techniques in diagnostic microbiology have been revolutionizing the practice of clinical microbiology in the hospital setting. Molecular diagnostic testing in general and nucleic acid-based amplification methods in particular have been heralded as diagnostic tools for the new millennium. This third edition covers not only the most recent updates and advances, but details newly invented omic techniques, such as next generation sequencing. It is divided into two distinct volumes, with Volume 1 describing the techniques, and Volume 2 addressing their applications in the field. In addition, both volumes focus more so on the clinical relevance of the test results generated by these techniques than previous editions.

One of the most promising new approaches for the prevention of HIV transmission, particularly for developing countries, involves topical, self-administered products known as microbicides. The development of microbicides is a long and complicated process, and this volume provides an overview of all the critical areas, from the selection of appropriate candidate molecules and their formulation, preclinical and clinical testing for safety and efficacy, strategies for product registration and finally, issues associated with product launch, distribution and access. The book will prove valuable to both those working in the field and all others who are interested in learning more about this product class, which has the potential to significantly impact the future of this devastating epidemic.

A real-life thriller about a nation in crisis, and the controversial decisions its leaders made during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, the government instituted no restrictions. Then, it didn't order the wearing of face masks. While the rest of the world looked on with incredulity, condemnation, admiration, and even envy, a small country in Northern Europe stood alone. As COVID-19 spread across the globe rapidly, the world shut down. But Sweden remained open. The Swedish COVID-19 strategy was alternately lauded and held up as a cautionary tale by international governments and journalists alike - with all eyes on what has been dubbed 'The Swedish Experiment'. But what made Sweden take such a different path? In The Herd, journalist Johan Anderberg narrates the improbable story of a small nation that took a startlingly different approach to fighting the virus, guiding the reader through the history of epidemiology and the ticking-clock decisions that pandemic decision-makers were faced with on a daily basis.

This book explores the broad and diverse biological and physiological impacts of established and newly discovered cyclic di-nucleotide second messenger signaling systems, while also providing descriptions of the intriguing biochemical characteristics of multiple turnover enzymes and receptors. The respective chapters discuss the commonalities and diversity of cyclic di-GMP, cyclic di-AMP and recently discovered cyclic GMP-AMP signaling systems in manifold Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The global human pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae, the facultative human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, global plant pathogens as exemplified by Xanthomonas campestris and Burkholderia spp., and the omnipresent probiotic Lactobacilli, as well as environmentally important photoautotrophic cyanobacteria, the multicellular Myxococcus xanthus, and chemolithotrophic Acidithiobacillus are among the representatives of the microbial kingdom that are described. In turn, the various aspects of bacterial physiology affected by these signaling systems- e.g. biofilm formation and dispersal, the cell cycle, motility, virulence, production of antimicrobials, fundamental metabolism and osmohomeostasis - are discussed in detail in the context of different microorganisms. Dedicated chapters focus on the population diversity of cyclic dinucleotide signaling systems, their tendency to be horizontally transferred, the cyclic di-GMP signaling system in the social amoeba Dictyostelium, honorary cyclic (di)nucleotides, and the development of strategies for interfering with cyclic dinucleotide signaling in order to manipulate microbial behavior. Taken together, the chapters provide an authoritative source of information for a broad readership: beginners and advanced researchers from various disciplines; individuals seeking a broad overview of cyclic di-nucleotide signaling; and those who want to learn more about specific aspects. Also featuring reviews with a forward-looking perspective, the book offers a valuable source of inspiration for future research directions.

Instant Notes in Medical Microbiology covers medical microbiology from the molecular biology of infectious agents right through to the clinical management of the infected patient, including disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and the use of antimicrobial therapy.

The first section covers how micro-organisms spread and cause disease in humans, and how the human body responds to infection in general. The next three sections give a broad outline of the important properties of human infectious pathogens; split into viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic organisms. The final sections cover laboratory diagnosis, antimicrobial chemotherapy, prevention strategies, and infection from the point of view of the patient.

Filling a gap in the literature, this reference provides concise and practical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of sinusitis and furnishes an authoritative outline of our current understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition. Addressing a wide spectrum of issues related to the identification, epidemiology, and etiology of sinusitis, this guide presents detailed illustrations and flowcharts to clarify the interactions between the pathological and physiological processes of sinusitis and illustrate current treatment practices.