The Advances in Parasitology series contains in-depth reviews on current topics of interest in contemporary parasitology. It includes medical studies on parasites of major influence, such as trypanosomiasis and scabies, and more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy, and life history, which shape current thinking and applications.
* Series has the second highest ISI impact factor in the parasitology group! (4.818 in 2002)
* Contributors are international experts in the field

In biological terms, a parasite can be defined as a oean organism that grows, feeds and is sheltered on, or in, a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of the host.a 1 This relationship is particularly intimate for parasitic protozoa (and single-celled fungi such as the Microsporidia), many of which not only penetrate tissue barriers, but gain entry into host cells. The entry mechanisms are as diverse as the organisms employing them and are often critical components of their pathogenic profile. All of the parasitic organisms highlighted in this new book represent medically important human pathogens that contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. As such there is intense interest in understanding the molecular basis of infection by these pathogensa "not only with regard to their clinical relevance but also the fascinating biology they reveal. For most of the parasites discussed here (Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp.) the ability to penetrate biological barriers and/or to establish intracellular residence is critical to survival of the pathogen in the mammalian hosts. For other parasites, such as Entamoeba, a tissue invasive phenotype is a key virulence determinant. In the ensuing 18 chapters, select members of this diverse set of protozoan parasites, as well as some examples of the extremely reduced fungal parasites classified as Microsporidia, are discussed within the context of the fascinating molecular strategies employed by these organisms to migrate across biological barriers and to establish residence within target host cells.

This completely updated second edition provides a clear account of how immune responses operate and how parasites can evade immunity. Parasites have evolved to exploit hosts' bodies, whereas hosts have evolved immune systems to control infections. Host-parasite interactions therefore provide fascinating examples of evolutionary "arms-races" in which the immune system plays a key role. Including an expanded section on anti-parasite vaccines, the text focuses on modern research in immunoparasitology directed at understanding and exploiting the capacity to develop effective anti-parasite immunity. The experimental basis of this research is emphasized throughout. The text is aimed at undergraduates and postgraduates with interests in either parasitology or immunology and contains introductory sections on these topics.

Advances in Parasitology is a series of up-to-date reviews of all areas of interest in contemporary parasitology. It includes medical studies on parasites of major influence, such as typanosomiasis and scabies, and more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy, and life history, which shape current thinking and applications.

Advances in Parasitology is a series of up-to-date reviews of all areas of interest in contemporary parasitology. It includes medical studies on parasites of major influence, such as typanosomiasis and scabies, and more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy, and life history, which shape current thinking and applications.

The study of parasitic organisms at the molecular level has yielded fascinating new insights of great medical, social, and economical importance, and has pointed the way for the treatment and prevention of the diseases they cause. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Parasites presents an up-to-date account of this modern scientific discipline in a manner that allows and encourages the reader to place the biochemistry and molecular biology of these organisms in their biological context. The chapters are cross-referenced and grouped in an arrangement that provides a fully integrated whole, and permits the reader to create a composite of the biochemical function of these organisms.
Individual chapter includes those devoted to metabolism, in both aerobic and anaerobic protozoa; antioxidant mechanisms; parasite surfaces; organelles; invasion mechanisms; and chemotherapy. The helminths are discussed not only from the point of view of their cellular biochemistry and metabolism, but also with respect to both their integrated functions such as neurochemistry, structure and functions of surfaces, and reproduction. Written by expert investigators, this book will be of interest to all experienced researchers, graduate students, and to the newcomer eager to become familiar with the biochemistry and molecular biology of parasites.

Hepatitis viruses research started more than fifty years ago. The names of hepatitis A and hepatitis B were introduced in 1947 when it became clear that there were two types of hepatitis that were transmitted either enterically or parenterally. It became apparent in the 1970's that there were additional hepatitis viruses distinct from hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and thus, the term non-A, non-B hepatitis was introduced. The non-A, non-B hepatitis was further divided into post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis and enterically-transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis in the 1980's. By the end of the 1980's, both post-transfusion non-A, non-B virus and enterically-transmitted non-A, non-B virus had been identified and renamed hepatitis C virus and hepatitis E virus, respectively. Hepatitis delta antigen was first recognized as an antigen associated with hepatitis B virus infection in the 1970's. In the early 1980's, a virus was isolated and named hepatitis delta virus. These five different hepatitis viruses have distinct replication pathways and are major health concerns. They have become an important topic for teaching to graduate-level and medical students. Hepatitis Viruses provides a comprehensive, up-to-date review of these viruses to readers. Each chapter is written by one of the top researchers in the field, and topics include: the epidemiology and the natural history of infection of these viruses, the molecular biology and the replication cycle of individual hepatitis viruses, host-virus interactions and the pathogenesis of hepatitis viruses, the immunology of hepatitis viruses, the relationship between hepatitis viruses and hepatocellular carcinoma, the viral vaccines and antiviral drugs. This book can serve as a supplemental reading material to graduate students and medical students, and to any researcher who would like to learn more about hepatitis viruses.

Parasitic diseases remain a major health problem throughout the world, for both humans and animals. For many of us, our technologically advanced lifestyle has decreased the prevalence and transmission of parasitic diseases, but for the majority of the world's population, they are ever present in homes, domestic animals, food, or the environment. The study of parasites and parasitic disease has a long and distinguished history. In some cases, it has been driven by the great importance of the presence of the parasite to the community, for example, those that affect our livestock. In other cases, it is clear that applied research has suffered for lack of funding because the parasite affects people with few resources, such as the rural poor in resource-poor countries. These instances include the so-called "neglected diseases," as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Parasites have complicated life cycles, and a thorough understanding of the unique characteristics of a particular parasite species is vital in attempts to avoid, prevent, or cure infection or to alleviate symptoms. Of course, the biological characteristics that each parasite has developed to aid survival and transmission, to avoid destruction by the immune system, and to adapt to a changing environment are of lasting fascination to basic biologists as well. The elegance of these biological systems has ensured that the study of protozoan and metazoan parasites also remains an active field of research in countries where the diseases are not a threat to the population.

Leishmania is a vector-borne pathogenic parasite found in 88 countries worldwide and is the causative agent of leishmaniasis. The different Leishmania species infect macrophages and dendritic cells of the host immune system, causing symptoms that range from disfiguring cutaneous and mucocutaneous lesions, widespread destruction of mucous membranes, or visceral disease affecting the haemopoetic organs. The recent publication of the complete genome sequences of three different Leishmania species provides new insights into this leading pathogen and presents scientists with an exciting resource to improve the understanding of its complex molecular and cellular biology. In this book, internationally recognized Leishmania experts critically review the most important aspects of current Leishmania research, providing the first coherent picture of the organism's molecular and cellular biology since the publication of the genome sequence. Chapters are written from a molecular and genomic perspective and discuss in depth Leishmania-specific aspects of trypanosomatid biology and pathology. Topics include: diagnosis and epidemiology, genome structure and content, regulation of gene expression, the Leishmania proteome, the Leishmania metabolome, Leishmania differentiation, interaction with the sand fly vector, drug discovery, drug resistance, and much more. This will be essential reading for all researchers working with Leishmania, trypanosomes, and protozoa; and is recommended for all biology and medical libraries.

Parasitic nematodes (Nematoda) represent an important group of fish parasites. Many species are highly pathogenic, often causing serious diseases or even death to their fish hosts. The significance of recognizing these parasites increases with the development of aquaculture in many countries and with transcontinental transfers of fish. A prerequisite for developing effective control measures in fish culture is the exact identification of these parasites, as well as a knowledge of their, frequently complicated, host-parasite-environment relationships. The present monograph is the first to deal in detail with all nematodes which are parasites on European freshwater fish, providing contemporary knowledge of the taxonomy, biology and ecology of these parasites. This book is divided into introductory chapters, including general morphological, biological and ecological data on fish nematodes, their pathogenicity and methods of study; systematic part/species descriptions, data on hosts, localization, distribution and life cycles and bionomy of all species systematically arranged; and a host-nematode parasite list. This publication is intended for parasitologists, veterinarians, workers in fisheries, university students. It will also be of interest to ichthyologists, museum curators and those engaged in nature conservation.

The soil-transmitted nematode parasites, or geohelminths, are - called because they have a direct life cycle, which involves no intermediate hosts or vectors, and are transmitted by faecal contamination of soil, foodstuffs and water supplies. They all inhabit the intestine in their adult stages but most species also have tissue-migratoryjuvenile stages, so the disease manifestations they cause can therefore be both local and systemic. The geohelminths together present an enormous infection burden on humanity. Those which cause the most disease in humans are divided into three main groupings, Ascaris lumbricoides (the large roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), and the blood-feeding hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus ), and this book concentrates on these. These intestinal parasites are highly prevalent worldwide, A. lumbricoides is estimated to infect 1471 million (over a quarter ofthe world's population), hookworms 1277 million, and T. trichiura 1049 million. The highly pathogenic Strongyloides species might also be classified as geohelminths, but they are not dealt with here because the understanding of their epidemiology, immunology and genetics has not advanced as rapidly as for the others. This is primarily because of the often covert nature of the infections, with consequent difficulties for analysis. If there is ever a second edition of this book, then there will hopefully be much to say about this infection.

All important aspects of thermophilic moulds such as systematics, ecology, physiology and biochemistry, production of extracellular and intracellular enzymes, their role in spoilage of stores products and solid and liquid waste management, and general and molecular genetics have been dealt with comprehensively by experts in this book which covers progress in the field over the last 30 years since the seminal book Thermophilic Fungi published by Cooney and Emerson in 1964. The experts have reviewed extensive literature on all aspects of thermophilic moulds in a very comprehensive manner. This book will be useful for graduates as well as post-graduate students of life sciences, mycology, microbiology and biotechnology, and as a reference book for researchers.

Parasites evolve under selective pressures which are different from those acting on free-living organisms. The aim of this textbook is to present these pressures and to show how they have shaped the ecology of parasites over evolutionary time. Broad theoretical concepts are explained simply and clearly and illustrated throughout with example organisms. The book will be an invaluable text for advanced undergraduate biologists who are studying evolutionary biology, ecology, population biology, parasitology and evoluationary ecology. It will also prove to be a valuable reference to postgraduate students and researchers in the same fields.

Helminths include one of the most diverse and geographically widespread groups of parasites which infect humans and animals. About 100 species have been reported from humans, usually producing asymptomatic infection or mild symptoms. However, about 20 species are of public health importance causing severe or even fatal infections. In many parts of Africa parasitic helminths are responsible for enormous economic losses, hampering rural development programmes and reducing the pace of economic growth. Many parasitic helminths are either zoonoses (diseases naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man) or have evolved from animal parasites. The modification of the environment through wars, famine and the ever expanding and increasingly mobile human population brings people into close contact with new environments and wildlife species which makes the study and control of zoonoses of special interest and complexity. In Africa, the transmission of helminth parasites is highly influenced by the ever changing social and cultural differences between diverse groups of peoples and their interaction with wild and domestic animals. It is not surprising, therefore, that approaches to the study and control of parasitic zoonoses require intersectoral cooperation between physicians, veterinarians, parasitologists, zoologists, demographers, anthropologists, engineers and economists to provide the breadth of knowledge and expertise required to develop our understanding of these diseases and to devise methods for their control. This book provides a selective compilation of parasitic helminths, many of which are zoonoses which create important economic and public health problems in Africa.

Filarial nematodes constitute and important group of human pathogens in tropical regions of the world. Diseases associated with these worms are generally separated into two categories: filariasis, caused by infections of lymphatic dwelling parasites and onchocerciasis, or river blindness, caused by infections of Onchocerca volvulus. Other filariae specifically infect humans and it is likely that zoonotic filarial infections may alter the outcome of infections with human parasites. The chapters in this book will cover concepts that, in most instances, overlap all of these parasites as well as focus on new and emerging ideas. The Filaria, volume five of World Class Parasites, is written for researchers, students and scholars who enjoy reading research that has a major impact on human health, or agricultural productivity, and against which we have no satisfactory defense. It is intended to supplement more formal texts that cover taxonomy, life cycles, morphology, vector distribution, symptoms and treatment. It integrates vector, pathogen and host biology and celebrates the diversity of approach that comprises modern parasitological research.

The promotion of a high level of food safety and quality is of major importance world-wide. Aspects of food quality such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), food allergens and food authentication have become increasingly important while food-borne diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites continue to be a significant problem. The application of real-time PCR is one of the most promising advances in food safety and quality providing rapid, reliable and quantitative results. In recent years real-time PCR has become a valuable alternative to traditional detection methods in the agricultural and food industries. The advantages of quantitative real-time PCR include speed, an excellent detection limit, selectivity, specificity, sensitivity and the potential for automation.

Malaria causes more death and disease than any other parasitic pathogen known today. This multiauthored text covers the important areas of malaria research, particularly focusing on those sectors which are of clinical importance for the understanding of the disease, the parasite, and its vector.
The chapter authors are all leading experts within their own particular fields. The biology and molecular biology of the parasite, the clinical spectrum of the disease, the pathogenesis of malaria, and the immunology and emergence of malaria vaccines are some examples of the scientific spheres that are discussed.
The book is suitable as a text for graduate students and clinicians as well as researchers at universities and companies involved in treating or studying infectious diseases.

American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, is caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. Sixteen to eighteen million people are currently infected with this organism, and 45,000 deaths are attributed to the disease each year. Infection with T. cruzi is life-long, and 10-30% of persons who harbor the parasite chronically develop cardiac and gastrointestinal problems associated with the parasitosis. Although major progress has been made in recent years in reducing vector-borne and transfusion-associated transmission of T. cruzi, the burden of disability and death in persons chronically infected with the organism continues to be enormous. Eight to ten million persons born in countries in which Chagas disease is endemic currently reside in the United States, and epidemiologic and census data suggest that 50,000-100,000 are chronically infected with T. cruzi. The presence of these infected persons poses a risk of transmission of the parasite in the USA through blood transfusion and organ transplantation and several such cases have now been documented.

American Trypanosomiasis, volume seven of World Class Parasites is written for students of tropical medicine, parasitology and public health, for researchers and practitioners alike who wish to bring themselves abreast of the status quo with respect to this disease. It is intended to supplement formal textbooks, in order to broaden and illuminate current areas of scientific and public health concern. Uniquely for T. cruzi, this book addresses parasite, vector and host biology, the pathogenesis of Chagas disease and current and prospective therapeutics and control strategies in a single volume.

Most human diseases come from nature, from pathogens that live and breed in non-human animals and are "accidentally" transmitted to us. Human illness is only the culmination of a complex series of interactions among species in their natural habitats. To avoid exposure to these pathogens, we must understand which species are involved, what regulates their abundance, and how they interact.
Lyme disease affects the lives of millions of people in the US, Europe, and Asia. It is the most frequently reported vector-borne disease in the United States; About 20,000 cases have been reported each year over the past five years, and tens of thousands more go unrecognized and unreported. Despite the epidemiological importance of understanding variable LD risk, such pursuit has been slow, indirect, and only partially successful, due in part to an overemphasis on identifying the small subset of 'key players' that contribute to Lyme disease risk, as well as a general misunderstanding of effective treatment options.
This controversial book is a comprehensive, synthetic review of research on the ecology of Lyme disease in North America. It describes how humans get sick, why some years and places are so risky and others not. It challenges dogma - for instance, that risk is closely tied to the abundance of deer - and replaces it with a new understanding that embraces the complexity of species and their interactions. It describes why the place where Lyme disease emerged - coastal New England - set researchers on mistaken pathways. It shows how tiny acorns have enormous impacts on our probability of getting sick, why biodiversity is good for our health, why living next to a small woodlot is dangerous, and why Lyme disease is an excellent model system for understanding many other human and animal diseases. Intended for an audience of professional and student ecologists, epidemiologists, and other health scientists, it is written in an informal style accessible also to non-scientists interested in human health and conservation.

In recent years, parasitologists have learned much about the way in which parasite biochemistry differs from that of free-living organisms. Inside the host, factors such as temperature, oxygen tension, carbon dioxide concentration and pH have important consequences for the biochemistry and physiology of the parasitic organism. Strong selection pressure therefore operates at all stages of a parasite's life cycle. The parasite's adaptational response to this pressure is the subject of this book. Under the headings "The nature of parasite adaptation", "Energy metabolism", "Digestion and uptake of nutrients", "Host immunity and parasite adaptation", "Biochemical adaptation and the magic bullet" and "Biochemical variation in parasites", present knowledge of parasite metabolism and how it reflects adaptation to particular environments is surveyed. The ways in which these adaptations may have developed during their evolution - with reference to the modern evolution of strain variations and the development of resistance to antiparasitic compounds - are explored, together with immunological aspects of the host-parasite relationship and potential metabolic targets for chemotherapy. This book should be of use to all those involved and interested in the biochemistry of parasites and its relation to their evolution, ecology, adaptation and variation. Those aspects of parasite metabolism that are attacked by anti-parasitic drugs are described, making this a useful book for those involved in the pharmaceutical industry. This book should be of interest to parasitologists and comparative biochemists.

Recent ideas and experimental studies suggest that the relationship between parasitism and host behaviour has been a powerful shaping force in the evolution not only of behaviour patterns themselves but, through them, of morphology and population and community dynamics. This book brings together recent work across the disciplines of parasitology and animal behaviour which is revealing the fundamental role of parasitism in the evolution of behaviour. The aim is to look broadly at the relationship between parasitism and behaviour from pathology and epidemiology to strategies of exploitation and counter exploitation. In doing so the book will traverse the phylogenetic scale from enteric protozoa and nematodes to colouration and courtship of birds and human cultural traditions.

Parasitic zoonoses, the parasitic diseases transmitted between humans and other vertebrate animals, are widespread. The increasing pace of internationalization changes in diet and easy movement from one part of the world to another has caused parasitic zoonoses to be more prevalent. Consequently, these diseases have become the focus of recent research by parasitologists and pathologists whose work is presented in this book. Included in addition to the pathology of parasitic zoonoses and recent trends in research of imported parasites are the classification of phenotypes of anisakid nematodes, the immunohistopathological diagnostic method, and molecular technology to detect and diagnose parasites. Also included are papers on parasitology and international health and the pathology of cerebral malaria. With 38 color illustrations, this book is an invaluable resource for parasitologists, pathologists, and clinicians.

This detailed book provides a comprehensive series of innovative research techniques and methodologies applied to the parasite genomics research area, all applying different approaches to analyzing parasite genomes and furthering the study of genetic complexity and the mechanisms of regulation. Beginning with chapters on novel sequencing and the bioinformatics pipeline, the volume continues by exploring diagnostic approaches using genomic tools, host-parasite interactions, as well as the genomics of parasite-derived extracellular vesicles. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Parasite Genomics: Methods and Protocols creates a detailed picture of genomic approaches for researchers seeking a better understanding of characterizing parasite nucleic acid content.

Egg Parasitoids in Agroecosystems with emphasis on Trichogramma was conceived to help in the promotion of biological control through egg parasitoids by providing both basic and applied information. The book has a series of chapters dedicated to the understanding of egg parasitoid taxonomy, development, nutrition and reproduction, host recognition and utilization, and their distribution and host associations. There are also several chapters focusing on the mass production and commercialization of egg parasitoids for biological control, addressing important issues such as parasitoid quality control, the risk assessment of egg parasitoids to non-target species, the use of egg parasitoids in integrated pest management programs and the impact of GMO on these natural enemies. Chapters provide an in depth analysis of the literature available, are richly illustrated, and propose future trends.

Parasites that manipulate the behaviour of their hosts represent striking examples of adaptation by natural selection. This field of study is now moving beyond its descriptive phase and into more exciting areas where the processes and patterns of such dramatic adaptations can be better understood. This innovative text provides an up-to-date, authoritative, and challenging review of host manipulation by parasites that assesses the current state of developments in the field and lays out a framework for future research. It also promotes a greater integration of behavioral ecology with studies of host manipulation (behavioral ecology has tended to concentrate mainly on behaviour expressed by free living organisms and is far less focused on the role of parasites in shaping behaviour). To help achieve this, the editors adopt a novel approach of having a prominent expert on behavioral ecology (but who does not work directly on parasites) to provide an afterword to each chapter.