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This volume provides an overview of the latency strategies developed during the estimated 200,000 year-long coevolution of Alpha-, Beta- and Gammaherpesvirinae and their host species. While the main emphasis is on herpesviruses infecting humans, relevant cases if herpesviruses infecting animals are covered as well. Special emphasis is given to results on molecular mechanisms regulating latent promoters of herpesvirus genomes and signals and molecular pathways resulting in reactivation of latent viral genomes.
A comprehensive and updated volume for the clinical virologist. • Details laboratory procedures for detecting and handling viruses, from specimen requirements and quality assurance to virus detection and identification, from the fundamentals through the latest molecular methods. • Presents the most current knowledge on the wide range of specific viral pathogens. • Includes information on services provided by federal and state public health virology laboratories. • Provides essential information for clinicians and laboratory virologists.
The human foetus is separated from the maternal blood by the syncytiotrophoblast induced by endogeneous human retrovirus-encoded proteins. This barrier is a highly developed one, which suppors apical-basolateral transport of maternal idiotype and anti-idiotype IgG, IgG-virus complexes. The selective maternal-fetal transport of epitope- and paratope-bearing entities can influence the developping fetal immune system during pregnancy. The bidirectional maternal-fetal transfer of cells are of even more importance during pregnancy. Maternal cells with latent viruses transport viruses without impairment of fetal development. Cells with premaligant and malignant genetic transformation are also transported to the fetus. Fetal and neonatal tumours are initiated by such cells in spite of the antitumour potential of fetal organism. On the contary, the fetal cells repair maternal tissue injouries and survive in the organisms of the recipients for decades. These possess new consequences for the neonatal immunity and organ transplatation surgery.
The Advances in Cancer Research series provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. This volume presents outstanding and original reviews on a variety of topics, including gene expression in inherited breast cancer, multiparameter analyses of cell cycle regulation in tumorigenesis, Rho GTPases in transformation and metastasis, the myc oncogene, genetic requirements for the episomal maintenance of oncogenic herpesvirus genomes, treatment of Epstein-Barr virus-associated malignancies with specific T cells, the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3 in cancer, chronic immune activation and inflammation in the pathogenesis of AIDS and cancer, and molecula...
There is currently increasing interest concerning the biology and disease caused by Acinetobacter species. Such interest, however, developed relatively slowly because of the necessity to clarify the confusing taxonomy of these organisms. Much work was needed to identify various species as members of this genus, to recognize their epidemiologic profile, their pathogenic role and their increasing importance as multi-antibiotic resistant organisms. In recent years improvement of genetic approaches, recognition of plasmids, integrons and chromosomal sources of resistance mechanisms aroused interest on the role of Acinetobacters in disease by many microbiologists and clinicians, especially intern...
The misuse of technical achievements of science created many disasters in the past. The potential misuse of recent discoveries and innovations of molecular biology can create more important epidemiological and biological accidents or mass tragedies than an influenza pandemic, the HIV / AIDS epidemic or SARS. Both NATO and the civilian spheres have to be prepared for rapid recognition, identification, prevention and treatment of such potential risks. This volume summarizes projects aiming to detect risks of biological toxins, superantigens and the modeling of their effects. Potential risks, detection and prevention of chronic and zoonotic infections are summarized in addition to interaction of human pathogens affecting biological risks. Specific applications of recent diagnostic procedures for rapid detection and identification of hazardous or unusual etiologic agents are summarized including new, high through-put diagnostic methods. Epidemiological and clinical aspects of disasters and recently developed philosophy for global prevention will be presented. Experimental vaccines and therapeutics including a new smallpox vaccine are included.
An AIDS vaccine is still elusive and HIV treatment continues to develop multidrug resistance at alarming rates. Because of the similarities between HIV and immune deficiency infections in a variety of animals, it is only natural that scientists use these animals as models to study pathogenesis, treatment, vaccine development and many other aspects of HIV. Part of the series Infectious Agents and Pathogenesis, this volume reviews the immune deficiency virus in a variety of hosts. Pathogenesis, vaccine and drug development, epidemiology, and the natural history of the monkey, mouse, cat, cow, horse, and other animal viruses are detailed and compared to HIV. Also included are chapters on the history and future of animal models, as well as a chapter on ethical and safety considerations in using animal models for AIDS studies.
Staphylococcus aureus is now acknowledged as being the most important bacterial pathogen of humans. It usually produces localized disease but can be rapidly invasive, spreading through the tissues, invading bone, and seeding the bloodstream to produce a fulminant picture of septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and rapid death. Moreover, most strains of staph infections are becoming resistant to most antibiotics, thus posing a significant problem for hospitals and health care facilities. This book, a volume in the Infectious Agents and Pathogenesis series, presents chapters by the major researchers in the field.
The volume brings together all of the latest research on this pathogen, the interest in which is rapidly growing. Legionella pneumophila is an emerging human pathogen that resides in natural environments as a parasite of freshwater. There have been major new developments in this field, including the publication of three whole genome sequences and the discovery of a developmental cycle and novel cyst-like highly infectious form.
The use of recreational drugs of abuse by large numbers of individuals in this country and abroad has aroused serious concerns about the consequences of this activity. For example, it is recognized that marijuana is currently widely used as a recreational drug in the United States as well as other countries. Similarly, abuse of cocaine, especially crack cocaine, is considered to be an epidemic. “The war on drugs” by the US Government was directly aimed at the illicit use of cocaine, marijuana, and opiates as well as other drugs of abuse. Furthermore, alcohol is also considered a major problem of abuse in this country as well as in many other countries. It is estimated there are at least ...