This book provides salient information on all aspects of influenza/flu viruses affecting animals and humans. It specifically reviews the properties and replication of influenza viruses; their evolution and emergence; epidemiology; role of migratory birds in disease transmission; clinical signs in humans, animals, and poultry; pathogenesis and pathogenicity; public health importance and potential threats; diagnosis; prevention and control measures; and pandemic preparedness. Influenza/flu viruses evolve continuously and jump species causing epidemics as well as pandemics in both human and animals. During the past 150 years, various strains of influenza virus like the Spanish flu, Asian flu, Hong Kong flu, bird flu, and swine flu were responsible for high mortality in humans as well as birds. High mutation rates, antigenic shifts, drifts, reassortment phenomena, and the development of antiviral drug resistance all contribute to ineffective chemotherapy and vaccines against influenza viruses. Due to their devastating nature, high zoonotic implications, and high mortality in humans and poultry, they have a severe impact on the socioeconomic status of countries. Disease awareness, rapid and accurate diagnosis, surveillance, strict biosecurity, timely adoption of appropriate preventive and control measures, and pandemic preparedness are crucial to help in decreasing virus transmission, thus reducing clinical cases, deaths, and pandemic threats.

Over the last decade, interest in mycoplasmas has been greatly sti- lated by the spread of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, in Europe and Africa and the discovery of a possible association between mycoplasmas and AIDS. During this period there has also been a recognition by control authorities and int- national organizations, including the Office International des Epizooties, that mycoplasmas are major causes of economic loss in livestock and continue to be a problem in humans as a result of a range of chronic respiratory and urogenital diseases. However, it is likely that the true significance of my- plasmas is still underestimated because of the difficulties in working with these extremely fastidious microorganisms. Advances in such laboratory technology as DNA amplification has enabled the detection of unrecoverable mycoplasmas in tissue samples and this will provide us with a better understanding of their role in disease. Important developments have also been seen in more conv- tional areas such as serological tests and media formulation enabling improved recovery and identification. Mycoplasma Protocols provides in a single volume up-to-date and easy-- follow methods for the detection, isolation, identification, and characterization of mycoplasmas, with a major emphasis on those of medical and veterinary significance. It also includes biochemical, genetic, and molecular techniques that will form the basis of understanding pathogenicity and, particularly, - hesion to host cells.

This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, guest edited by Drs. Nicole D. Pecora and Matthew Pettengill, will cover Current Issues in Clinical Microbiology. This issue is one of four selected each year by our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Milenko Jovan Tanasijevic. Topics discussed in this issue will include: Update in Diagnostics of Bloodstream Infections, Panels and Syndromic Testing in Clinical Microbiology, Lab Consolidation and Centralization, Update in Susceptibility Testing: Phenotypic and Genotypic Methods, Genomics in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Automation in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Coronavirus Detection in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory: Are We Ready for Identifying and Diagnosing a Novel Strain?, Update on Biosafety and Emerging Infections for the Clinical Microbiology Lab, Update in Clinical Mycology, Point of Care Testing in Microbiology, Pediatric Diagnostic Microbiology, Antimicrobial Stewardship: What the Clinical Laboratory Needs to Know, Fellowship Training for the Future Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Director, Update in Diagnostics/Susceptibility of Mycobacterial Diseases, Role of the Clinical Microbiology Lab in One Health, Update in Infectious Disease Diagnosis in Surgical Pathology, and more.

par Prof. Dr. E. VAN OYE, Bruxelles Les Salmonella constituent un groupe de germes parmi les plus repandus, les plus cosmo- polites et les plus ubiquitaires des microorganismes potientiellement pathogi'mes. On les rencontre chez tous les animaux a sang froid ou a sang chaud, du plus humble puceron aux plus impressionnants des mammiferes tels les baleines ou les e16phants. On les retrouve aussi partout dans Ie milieu ambiant, en particulier dans les eaux superficielles, qu'elles aoient douces ou salees. nest aiae de comprendre que les aliments les plus divera et les produits les plus inattendus en sont parfois contamimls. Non seulement les Salmonella jouent un role de premier plan dans la pathologie humaine et dans la pathologie animale mais egalement, vu leur ubiquiM, dans de nombreux sec- teurs de l'economie et non seulement celui de l'alimentation. La lutte contre les affections que ces germes provoquent - les salmonelloses - est avant tout baaee sur la prevention. Celle-ci, pour etre efficace, demande d'iltre informe aussi exactement que possible, sur l'identite des germes en cause. Or il existe de par Ie monde plus de 2000 especes differentes de Salmonella pouvant presenter d'innombrables varian- tes sur les plans de la serologie, de la biochimie ou de la lysotypie.

Biology of Parasitism is based on the Biology of Parasitism Course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Having just celebrated its 20th offering, this Course has distinguished itself as the premier, world-renowned training ground for future generations of parasitologists. The primary goal of the Course is to attract and introduce the very best and most promising young researchers to the many unresolved problems in parasitology and prepare them for their future as independent investigators in the field. The rigorous program combines state-of-the-art laboratory research with a program of visiting lecturers who bring together the most current research in the field. Since at this time there are no academic institutions that have enough depth in parasitology research or teaching faculty to provide up-to-date and state-of-the-art training, the Course has become, and will remain, a global resource for providing intensive education in modern parasitology. Biology of Parasitism is intended to present a snapshot of the content and spirit of the Biology of Parasitism Course. By presenting a series of chapters that reflect the formal lectures that students receive on a daily basis, as well as the approaches used during the laboratory section of the Course, the editors hope to share some of the science that occurs there. One part of the book presents the experimental component of the Course, in particular the subject matter of the four two-week sessions covering Immunology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Molecular Biology of protozoan and helminth parasites. As in the Course, the experimental part is complemented by a number of review-like chapters solicited from the large number of speakers who lecture during the Course.

This volume provides a history of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a basic understanding of the physiology of the eosinophil, and a current understanding of the pathophysiology and genetics of EoE. The emphasis is on clinical applications including presenting symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for patients with EoE. Written by both pediatric and adult experts in the fields of gastroenterology, allergy and pathology, this volume includes the most up to date information. Providing practical information useful in the treatment of patients, this book will be of great value to gastroenterologists, allergists, pathologists, medical residents, fellows, internists, and general practitioners who treat patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.

It has been known for many years that the Malassezia yeasts are associated with a n- ber of different human diseases ranging from pityriasis versicolor to seborrhoeic d- matitis. However the evolving history of their taxonomy and pathogenicity, and the management of the diseases that they cause has been a long, and often diffcult, jou- ney. Their fastidious growth requirements defed the initial attempts to culture these organisms on laboratory media and their true identifcation and the relationship between different species only became apparent with the application of modern molecular techniques. Likewise although recognised in the 19th century as potential causes of human infection, piecing together the complex and, in certain cases, still uncertain relationships to different human diseases has taken many years. Recognised initially as causes of infection of the skin, they are now known to be superfcial c- mensals as well as potential causes of infections in domestic animals and more serious human conditions such as fungemia. They have also been implicated in the pathog- esis of allergic and other infammatory diseases. Given this complex, yet fascinating, history it seems appropriate to bring together current thought on these yeasts, their structure and function and their association with both human and animal disease states. This book provides such a view of the genus Malassezia and the diseases caused by its members.

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.

Rabies is one of the oldest known pathogens, is incurable, and has the highest fatality rate of all infectious diseases. The Americas is the only region with bat rabies virus, including vampire bat rabies. The region is rich in cultural references and notable for many discoveries in the field, including the current vaccine potency test, diagnostic assay, conception of oral vaccines for wildlife, the first human survivor and the first successful canine rabies program executed at a broad level. Rabies remains the most important viral zoonosis, with tens of thousands of human fatalities and tens of millions of exposures annually, which can be used to model for other pathogens, such as COVID-19. There is an international effort to eliminate human rabies caused by dogs over the next decade, and the Americas represent the primary region with the greatest proof-of-concept evidence to accomplish this goal.  This two-volume set addresses the medical history and modern results of rabies in countries throughout the Americas, including the implications of and on cultural, economic, sociological, and research developments in the region. Volume I presents an overview of concepts critical to the study of rabies in the region, including evolutionary aspects, reservoir ecology and control, elimination efforts, vaccine development, and disease hallmarks and progression. It also analyzes the long-term cultural, social, and economic impacts of the disease in the Americas. 

The aim of this comprehensively written volume is to provide a baseline of information on the normal microflora at various sites in the body. It focuses on the mouth, upper digestive tract, large intestine, skin, and urinogenital tract. Written in an easy-to-read format, this book highlights the level of detail available. For example, it explains that in the mouth and colon the data are extremely detailed and good quantitative information is available on large numbers of bacterial species. This work analyzes the similarities and differences between the microfloras of the various "internal" surfaces, and discusses the clear value of good taxonomy. It focuses on problems and extended research in the progress at other sites. Because this work researches the advances and discoveries made in specific areas of human microbial ecology, it is an ideal source for all who are involved in microbiology, bacteriology, and infectious diseases.

This issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics, guest edited by Dr. Raul Gonzalez, will cover key topics in Gastrointestinal Pathology. This issue is one of four selected each year by our series consulting editor, Dr. Jason L. Hornick. Topics discussed in this issue will include: Grossing of Gastrointestinal Specimens: Best Practices and Current Controversies, Subspecialty Signout and Interobserver Variability in Gastrointestinal Pathology, Diagnosis and Management of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms, Daily Dilemmas in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Pathology, Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Gastric Polyps, Approaches to Biopsy and Resection Specimens of the Ampulla, Updates in Appendix Pathology, HER2 in Colorectal Carcinoma, Histology of Colorectal Carcinoma: Proven and Purported Prognostic Factors, Diagnoses and Difficulties in Mesenteric Pathology, Advances and Annoyances in Anus Pathology, among others.

Polymeric Nanoparticles of Chitosan Derivatives as DNA and siRNA Carriers, by Y. K. Kim, H. L. Jiang, Y. J. Choi, I. K. Park, M. H. Cho and C. S. Cho.- Chitosan and Its Derivatives for Drug Delivery Perspective, by T. A. Sonia and C. P. Sharma.- Chitosan-based Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy, by V.-K. Lakshmanan, K. S. Snima, J. D. Bumgardner, S. V. Nair, and R. Jayakumar.- Chitosan and Thiolated Chitosan, by F. Sarti and A. Bernkop-Schnurch.- Chitosan-Based Particulate Systems for Non-Invasive Vaccine Delivery, by S. Senel.- Multifunctional Chitosan Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy, by J. Y. Yhee, Heebeom Koo, Dong Eun Lee, Kuiwon Choi, Ick Chan Kwon and Kwangmeyung Kim.- Chitosan-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Molecular Imaging and Drug Delivery, by H. Arami, Z. Stephen, O. Veiseh and M. Zhang.- Chitosan: Its Applications in Drug-Eluting Devices, by Mei -Chin Chen, Fwu -Long Mi, Zi -Xian Liao and Hsing -Wen Sung.-

Infectious diseases caused by bacterial pathogens are a leading cause of human illness and death worldwide. The study of bacterial pathogenesis has changed dramatically over the last decade, as a result of revolutionary changes in biotechnology and our understanding of molecular and cellular biological systems. This volume is structured to emphasize paradigms of infectious disease that have emerged over the last 10 years and provides a fundamental understanding of the complex cellular and molecular processes that are important for bacterial virulence and the infectious disease process. The book highlights key techniques and methodologies that have driven recent discoveries in bacterial pathogenesis, major structures and mechanisms in bacteria that are important for their pathogenesis, the regulation of these virulence determinants by global regulators, and bacterial biowarfare agents.

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.

The discovery of the human T cell leukemia virus type I in the late 1970s heralded a new era in retrovirology. For the first time, it was demonstrated that a retrovirus could play a role in the development of a human disease, in this case adult T cell leukemia (ATL). Several years later, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic began, and it was dem- strated that a retrovirus, originally designated the human T cell lymp- tropic virus type 3, was the causal agent of this syndrome. This virus, later named the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), has since been extensively studied in terms of its pathogenesis as well as its ability to elicit immune responses. In that time, a tremendous amount of information has been obtained about the virus. Although recent drug regimens have been useful in significantly lowering viral loads and perhaps maintaining an asymptomatic state among individuals infected with HIV-1, an established "cure" for AIDS eludes us. In addition, the effective drug therapies are very expensive, and are not available to infected people in the third world, where greater than 90% of new infections occur. Furthermore, the development of viral resistance against the drug therapies is an additional concern. Despite extensive study, no effective vaccine has been developed. One of the problems in developing an effective vaccine against HIV-1 is the ability of the virus, particularly in the immunogenic envelop glycoprotein, to undergo amino acid hypervariability.

A complete and balanced overview of all aspects of immunocytochemistry is presented providing a clear understanding of their impact on experiment. All available techniques and many diagnostic and research applications are included, as well as practical step-by-step instructions for carrying out recommended methods. Intended for the novice as well as the experienced researchers.

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a serious global pandemic in just one year. Nearly every country and territory in the world has been affected by the virus. The virulence and infection rate of the virus are profound, and has required extreme social distancing measures across the globe in order to prevent overwhelming the healthcare services and hospitals. COVID-19 appears to have the greatest effects on elderly individuals and those who have co-morbid diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. As the cases and death rate remain high, there are justified fears of this virus remaining for several months or years to come. To address this, a rapid and unprecedented worldwide mobilization effort has begun to identify effective treatments and develop vaccines. As these begin to be deployed and administered across the globe, many now feel the virus will be brought under control and lives will eventually return to normal. This new volume will increase readers' understanding of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic through a series of chapters that address these concerns. Leading experts will discuss new treatment approaches, vaccine development, mental health aspects of the pandemic, and convey the results of survey studies. The book will be an excellent resource for researchers studying virology, metabolic diseases, respiratory disorders, and clinical scientists, physicians, drug companies, and healthcare services and workers.

Scientific research on dengue has a long and rich history. The literature has been touched by famous names in medicine- Benjamin Rush, Walter Reed, and Albert Sabin, to name a very few- and has been fertile ground for medical historians . The advances made in those early investigations are all the more remarkable for the limited tools available at the time. The demonstration of a viral etiology for dengue fever, the recognition of mosquitoes as the vector for transmission to humans, and the existence of multiple viral variants (serotypes) with only partial cross-protection were all accomplished prior to the ability to culture and characterize the etiologic agent. Research on dengue in this period was typically driven by circumstances. Epidemics of dengue created public health crises, although these were relatively short-lived in any one location, as the population of susceptible individuals quickly shrank. Military considerations became as a major driving force for research. With the introduction of large numbers of non-immune individuals into endemic areas, dengue could cripple military readiness, taking more soldiers out of action than hostile fire. Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever, which assumed pandemic proportions during the latter half of the last century, have shown no indication of slowing their growth during this first decade of the twenty-first century. Challenges remain in understanding the basic mechanisms of viral replication and disease pathogenesis, in clinical management of patients, and in control of dengue viral transmission. Nevertheless, new tools and insights have led to major recent scientific advances. As the first candidate vaccines enter large-scale efficacy trials, there is reason to hope that we may soon "turn the corner" on this disease.

This volume covers the most important parasitic protists that are known to infect humans. The pathogens discussed cause diseases like toxoplasmosis, malaria, cryptosporidiosis, leishmaniasis, amoebiasis, trichomoniasis, and giardiasis. Readers from microbiology will appreciate the special focus on protist cell biology. As demonstrated in several of the chapters, these parasites are characterized by peculiar structures and organelles that cannot be found in mammalian cells - even though both are eukaryotic. The book employs light and electron microscopy to display the changing morphology in various stages of parasitic development. In turn, the results are supplemented by transcriptome and proteome profiles that help to describe how these changes take place on a molecular level. Both researchers and clinicians from tropical medicine will find essential and practically applicable background information on these increasingly important pathogens.

Topics covered in this volume include gene survival in emergent genomes, evolution of prokaryotic pangenomes, horizontal-transfer of host-adaptibility systems and more.

Species of aspergilli are common in man's environment and are responsible for a wide spectrum of human and animal disease, ranging in animals from mycotic abortion to aflatoxicosis and in humans from localized colonization of the ear or skin to life-threatening systemic infection of neutropenic patients. In recent times, invasive aspergillosis has become increasingly important as a cause of morbidity and death, initially in patients receiving immunosuppression prior to organ transplantation, and latterly in haematologic patients rendered neutropenic by underlying disease or chemotherapy. In some centres, the condition has been recorded in more than 40% of patients dying with acute leukaemia. Laboratory diagnostic procedures are not always helpful and the diagnosis depends largely on clinical parameters. The clinician is faced with yet another problem, that of management. At present, antifungal therapy of invasive aspergillosis can be largely ineffectual, and the mortality rate remains unacceptably high. Since Aspergillus fumigatus was first described almost 125 years ago, several other pathogenic species have been recognized. The marked biosynthetic abilities and varied mechanisms of gene recombination of aspergilli have long commanded attention in food technology and genetics. Their equally varied abilities to cause disease have attracted the interest of toxicologists, allergists and physicians concerned with infectious diseases.

This book comprehensively reviews various vector-borne diseases and their control methods. It discusses morphology, life history, and pathogenicity of protozoan and helminth parasites. Further, it analyzes host-parasite interactions and their adaptation within the host system for understanding parasitic infections. The book discusses the complex life cycle, biochemical adaptations, and molecular biology of the parasites. It investigates the immunological response to different infectious agents and explores new targets for combined therapeutic approaches. It also summarizes the evolution of parasitism and the ecology of parasites of the different phylum. Lastly, it provides information on vector biology emphasizing the role of basic vector research in developing future disease control methods and improving upon the existing approaches.

This brief, accessible treatise harnesses the neurophysiological processes of learning to create an innovative and powerful approach to therapy. It sets out a non-pathologizing alternative not only to the current medicalized conception of diagnosis and treatment but also to the labeling of relatively normal reactions to stressors and upsets as illnesses. Rooted in the neurobiology of human learning, the book's approach to treatment, Neuro-Cognitive Learning Therapy, characterizes maladaptive behavior patterns as learned responses to upsetting conditions-processes which can be unlearned. In addition, the coverage includes a clinical teaching guide for bringing NCLT theory and methods into the training curriculum. This groundbreaking volume: Proposes a non-stigmatizing learning model for therapy, Neuro-Cognitive Learning Therapy. Introduces the concept of the connectome and explains its critical role in mental health and illness. Differentiates between the unconscious and automaticity in cognition and behavior. Addresses the applicability of NCLT to biologically-based mental disorders. Offers case studies illustrating NCLT in contrast with commonly-used approaches. Includes a chapter-by-chapter clinical teaching guide with therapeutic principles and discussion questions. Provides a comprehensive therapeutic framework for practitioners of all orientations. Depathologizing Psychopathology gives neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, and child and school psychologists new ways of thinking about mental illness and learning about learning for a bold new step in the evolution of mind/brain knowledge.