The most feared attribute of the human pathogen "Vibrio cholerae" is its ability to cause outbreaks that spread like wildfire, completely overwhelming public health systems and causing widespread suffering and death. This volume starts with a description of the contrasting patterns of outbreaks caused by the classical and El Tor biotypes of "V. cholerae." Subsequent chapters examine cholera outbreaks in detail, including possible sources of infection and molecular epidemiology on three different continents, the emergence of new clones through the bactericidal selection process of lytic cholera phages, the circulation and transmission of clones of the pathogen during outbreaks and novel approaches to modeling cholera outbreaks. A further contribution deals with the application of the genomic sciences to trace the spread of cholera epidemics and how this information can be used to control cholera outbreaks. The book closes with an analysis of the potential use of killed oral cholera vaccines to stop the spread of cholera outbreaks.

The most feared attribute of the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae is its ability to cause outbreaks that spread like wildfire, completely overwhelming public health systems and causing widespread suffering and death. This volume starts with a description of the contrasting patterns of outbreaks caused by the classical and El Tor biotypes of V. cholerae. Subsequent chapters examine cholera outbreaks in detail, including possible sources of infection and molecular epidemiology on three different continents, the emergence of new clones through the bactericidal selection process of lytic cholera phages, the circulation and transmission of clones of the pathogen during outbreaks and novel approaches to modeling cholera outbreaks. A further contribution deals with the application of the genomic sciences to trace the spread of cholera epidemics and how this information can be used to control cholera outbreaks. The book closes with an analysis of the potential use of killed oral cholera vaccines to stop the spread of cholera outbreaks.

A blend of fundamental and applied research related to their use, this volume looks at how probiotics can enhance human health. The book covers all aspects of intestinal microflora and offers a comprehensive review of the broad array of effects that can be attributed to probiotic usage. While the focus remains on the latest and most exciting findings in the field of gut health, this book also opens a window to the possible role of probiotics beyond the gut, such as in oral health care, allergic disorders and women's health. The book also reviews pertinent legislation regulating the use of probiotics across the globe with special emphasis on Japan, a country that pioneered the establishment of a regulatory framework for functional foods. Each chapter summarizes a topic, reviews current research, and discusses future direction. Most of the references that have been cited in the book chapters are recent. The methods applied make use of modern methodologies and good controls, and apply rational explanations for the probiotic benefits.