Book Description

In this classic bestseller, Paul de Kruif dramatizes the pioneering bacteriological work of such scientists as Leeuwenhoek, Spallanzani, Koch, Pasteur, Reed, and Ehrlich. This seventieth anniversary edition features a new introduction by F. Gonzalez-Crussi. Index. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Microbe Hunters
I first read this book when I was in grammar school (K-6 level)and found it absolutely fascinating. I couldn't put it down. As a graduate of UC-Berkeley (BA, MS in biology), I highly recommend it not only to aspiring scientists, but to all who enjoy 'mysteries' - true life mysteries! When I was a med student at Albany Medical College, we took physiology and pharmacology in the "T-Smith" building. Theobald Smith was a grad of AMC. You will find his story here in "Ticks and Texas Fever". My copy is falling apart, but I consider it an old friend. It is one book that should be in everyone's library. I disagree (as one reviewer said) that it is "racist". I also disagree that it is not for youngsters. Get this book and treasure it!

An entertaining account of the founders of microbiology.
This book should put all other science stories to shame! First published in 1926, de Kruif elegantly and creatively describes the life and times of microbe hunters, from the very first man to peer into a lense and see the "wretched beasties." The stories are humerous, includes the family influences and accidental occurances with each discovery. A great addition for any science or medical buff! Also enjoyable but a little more tough to read "The Hot Zone" and "The Andromeda Strain" and "The Comming Plauge". I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!! :

Transition in Time
"The Microbe Hunters" charts the amazing shift in medical knowledge from both the historical and philisophical viewpoints. Dr. de Kruif's genius lies in the fact that he can transform the highly technical jargon of medicine into a compelling story of men versus nature. It is very readable!
He maps the course that men such as Pasture and Koch blazed into the realm of scientific methodology that is still revered today. You will feel the heat of the battle as the individuals depicted herein challenged the conventional wisdom of their day and transformed medicine from superstition to a healing art.
I was first introduced to the book in a class on microbiology, but obtained a true education in how curiosity, dedication and perserverance on the part of a few pioneers changed our view of nature forever. This book is a must read for anyone wanting to undrstand numan nature or the strange and wonderful word of pathogens. As a college professor I recomend this book to anyone who wants to find the inspiration for education in one book.

Ripping good stories, better than any fiction
Wonderful book, lively prose, vivid descriptions of the dawn of modern medicine as it was developed in army hospitals, jungles, swamps, and cramped attic "laboratories." And lines like "... the fundemental sadness of Pasteur's life, ....the crown of thorns that madmen wear whose dream it is to change a world in the little seventy years they are allowed to live."

Too bad descriptions of blacks as "darkies" (1924) will keep this book out of the hands of some kids. But come on, these scientists risked their lives and very often died trying to cure the sick in Africa. So can we can cut them a little slack for not being as gloriously enlightened as us, even if they were infintely braver ?

People familiar with biethics or medicine will see a world where many ethical questions that had not been defined. For instance, informed consent and double blind trials were hardly known - almost *none* of the experimental treatments could be done legally today, even though the researchers often used themselves as subjects and died.

One of the best accounts...
I read it when I was a teenager. I still find it perhaps the best account on the early microbe discoverers. Chapters on Van Leeuwenhoek (first thing I did when I arrived in Holland was to look for his house, in Delft...), Spallanzani and Pasteur are masterpieces in itself. Hard to put down. ... Read more

Book Description

The classic text on the medical aspects of medical microbiology! This comprehensive and authoritative text covers the basic and clinical aspects of microbiology. Thoroughly updated and revised, this edition continues to focus on the microbiology concepts that are essential to the diagnosis of clinical infections. Features review questions in USMLE format at the end of each chapter as well as a clinical correlations chapter that offers case studies focusing on the differential diagnosis and management of microbial infections. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good book as foundation for medical microbiology students
I used this as one of my required texts for my microbiology class in med school. It had very good sections on parasitology, viruses, etc. It was fun learning the what parasites are endemic to certain regions of the world and what symptoms they cause. I was used the following: Microbiology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers by Patrick Leonardi. This second book was great because it was thorough in the aspects of test preparation in these various ways: it helped me prepare for the type of questions asked by my microbiology professor. In this way when I was studying I knew which facts to study harder and to know better. I easily got in the top 1% of my medical microbiology in grades with the help of these two books. I give each book five stars.

Too much information
This book offers a very comprehensive look at microbiology and virology (with some immunology and parasitology thrown in); unfortunately, that's not a good thing if you're trying to study from it. The chapters are full of information on lab values and other minutiae that will be of interest to only those who make a living in the field. Otherwise, you'll have to search hard to pick out the relevant details that are worth remembering. There are definitely better, easier to use books on the market than this one

It's a modern and exact book
This edition have news about micobiology.

good for 2nd yr med school micro - but short on clin. stuff
depending on the focus of your course, this might not have enough clinical case-related material. Great for the "big flick" with a very well laid out presentation (not enough pix or graphs), very good overall. Lot's of people in my class chose the Appleton and Lange (same publisher) 'Review" version of this book (blue cover). ... Read more

Book Description

This manual summarizes the accumulation of information and knowledge of environmental microbiology in a single source.It details the natural fate of microorganisms in the environment as well as the intentional attempts to eliminate from the environment microorganisms that are pathogenic to humans or to plants and animals. The basic principles of environmental microbiology and general analytical methodologies, common across the range of the environments covered, are presented first. The core sections are structured with regard to the type of environmental medium being discussed.This landmark effort defines the study of environmental microbiology as we know it today and serves as an essential contribution to the literature.TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction to Environmental Microbiology General Methodology Water Microbiology in Public Health Aquatic Environments Soil, Rhizosphere, and Phyllosphere Subsurface and Landfills Aerobiology Biotransformation and Biodegradation ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wow!!!
One word describes this book - wow! This book is a great source of information for everybody that is seriously interested in environmental microbiology. The wealth of information given in this book is divided into 98 "short stories", most of them on average 10 pages long, each written by a different scientist. Even though the book is presented in a very scientific manner, it reads surprisingly easy, although the reader should have some knowledge of microbiology and biochemistry. This is not a textbook! Those of you who are looking for a pretty picture book should look elsewhere. There are no fancy appendices or glossaries, no CD-ROM, just an index. Pictures and graphs are held to a minimum and are used for the more complex concepts only. At the end of each chapter, a bibliography invites to further exploration of the particular topic. Here are the main sections of the book: 1. Introduction to environmental microbiology, 2. General methodology, 3. Water microbiology in public health, 4. Aquatic environments, 5. Soil, Rhizosphere, and Phyllosphere, 6. Subsurface and landfills, 7. Aerobiology, 8. Biotransformation and biodegradation. In conclusion, this book has quality and substance, just as you would expect from a book published by the ASM. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good review, great questions
This book has covers all the necessary topics, including immunology. But the best part is that it has a total of 416 questions!! This is a great source of practice questions for the USMLE. Still, it could use more pictures and diagrams. Just for the questions its worth the money.

truly useless book
i just took the nbme shelf exam and i must say without reservation that this book was not very good. look to other review books if you want to study for the shelf or for the boards.

Best Book Around
If you are used to the Pathology and Physiology BRS style, this is a very good book. Although Micro Made Simple is rated really high and so is the Lange book, this book did it for me, while those did not. It is detailed and simple at the same time; the outline format is easier to read than the full text format. I recommend this book to whoever is taking a Micro class or for the boards. The best part about it is that it covers immunology too!

Help for the Boards
Microbiology and Immunology is another quality review guide molded in the line of the other Board Review Series books. While all the required information for the boards is presented, little is in sufficient detail for course exams. However, this book is a good reference and guide to help steer your studying in conjunction with a larger text. ... Read more

Book Description

Human Evolutionary Genetics (HEG) is a groundbreaking text which for the first time brings together molecular genetics and genomics to the study of the origins and movements of human populations.

Starting with an overview of molecular genomics for the non-specialist (which can be a useful review for those with a more genetic background), the book shows how data from the post-genomic era can be used to examine human origins and the human colonization of the planet, richly illustrated with genetic trees and global maps.

For the first time in a textbook, the authors outline how genetic data and the understanding of our origins which emerges, can be applied to contemporary population analyses, including genealogies, forensics and medicine.

Drawing its material from a range of disciplines, this text is an invaluable resource for courses in:

• Human Evolution

• Human Variation

• Biological Anthropology

• Physical Anthropology

• Human Population Genetics ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Essential reading
Clearly laid out like one of the classic undergraduate textbooks (e.g. Genes VII, Albers et al.), this is the only up-to-date introduction in the field.

The authors make great efforts to link advances in genetics to other fields (e.g. linguistics, anthropology), as well as to organise chapters around key issues such as the spread of agriculture, offering space to key authors in these associated fields. Bibliographic/website sources are also well documented.

Evidently, coverage is broad rather than deep, but if you need some basic background (e.g. I wanted to understand how Y-chromosome sequence data illuminated prehistoric migrations but needed some basic information on microsatellites) before proceeding to original papers, then this is the book for you. ... Read more

Book Description

From the historical beginnings of Haldane's original hypothesis to current research, this book evaluates infectious diseases from an evolutionary perspective. It surveys the latest information related to major infections, such as malaria, influenza and leishmaniasis. ... Read more

Book Description

Quinolones constitute a large class of synthetic antimicrobial agents that are highly effective in the treatment of many types of infectious diseases, particularly those caused by bacteria. New quinolones are continually being developed as bacterial species develop resistance to existing quinolones. This book presents the most current information available in our continual struggle to conquer disease.
Over time, bacteria become resistant to medicines that are used to combat them. Because of this, the medical world is always in search of new and improved ways to battle these disease-causing bacteria. Quinolones are at the forefront of this research.
Edited by one of the world's foremost authorities on the subject, the third edition of this highly successful title will serve as a valuable tool for primary care physicians and researchers interested in a comprehensive, up-to-date reference on the chemistry, mechanisms of action, development of resistance, and clinical efficacy of both currently available and newer quinolone compounds under investigation. This is the eagerly anticipated fully revised edition of the standard reference in the field.

Key Features
* Eagerly anticipated updated edition of noted title covering synthetic microbial agents that are useful against infectious disease, particularly those caused by bacteria
* Edited by one of the foremost experts in the field of quinolone research and infectious disease
* History of quinolones, chemistry & mechanisms of action, pharmacology, safety aspects
* Role of quinolones in treating various types of infections, including respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections, prostatitis, STDs and bacterial meningitis as well as their use in immunocompromised patients ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Nuts & Bolts of Antibiotics
This book was written by the eminent biochemist Christopher Walsh, whose broad research interests include the study of antibiotic action and resistance. It is extremely well written and organized, with an abundance of excellent illustrations. The approach is to give the reader an in depth but not exhausting coverage of several key topics in modern antibiotic research. Both novice and seasoned researcher will find much of value within the pages of this modest sized book. This important work is published at a period in time in which the resistance of a broad range of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics has grown to alarming levels. At the same time, many pharmaceutical companies have recently abandoned research and development of new antibiotic agents.

Walsh starts the book with a brief chapter on fundamental antibiotic concepts. Where do antibiotics come from? How do they work? How does resistance develop? He next launches into a thorough review of the main classes of antibiotics, interweaving antibiotic chemical structures and targets of the drugs with the underlying microbial physiology processes that are targeted. He begins with the various classes of bacterial cell wall inhibitors, emphasizing the members of the large beta-lactam class, as well as glycopeptides and moenomycin. Next he delves into the multiple classes of protein synthesis inhibitors. He makes full use of the latest structural data emerging from X-ray crystallography of ribosomal subunits, to illustrate the mechanisms of drug action. He covers the macrolides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides, as well as the new glycylcyclines and oxazolidinones. The DNA topoisomerases are next featured as targets, and the interactions of quinolone antibiotics with DNA gyrase and topoisomerase. This chapter was a bit short and sparse in some details as compared to the preceding chapters, but does hit the main highlights. A final chapter in this section addresses other antibiotic classes such as the folate metabolism antagonists (sulfa drugs and trimethoprim), as well as peptide antibiotics.

The next section addresses the many mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. These four chapters examine different types of mechanisms employed by bacteria to evade antibiotics. Succinct coverage of the broad range of beta-lactamases and the aminoglycoside modifying (inactivating) enzymes are found in a chapter on enzymatic destruction or modification of antibiotics. This is followed by a very nice summary chapter around antibiotic efflux pumps, which again incorporates some structural biology. Unfortunately, the book was published just prior to the latest crystallographic studies of the RND class AcrB pump, which has added much to our understanding of efflux pumps. The final resistance chapter highlights target modification or replacement. The methicillin resistance story in Staphylococcus, mediated by PBP2a, is detailed, as is the resistance mediated by the mosaic PBP genes in pneumococci. Macrolide resistance by ribosomal methylation and the fascinating story of vancomycin resistance by the restructuring the terminal D-alanine dipeptide target is covered (Walsh's laboratory was a major contributor to the vancomycin story).

The next section of the book deals with the biosynthesis of antibiotics by producing organisms, primarily Streptomyces species. These chapters interweave the genetics and biochemistry of secondary metabolism. The signaling pathways used among producer organisms, as well as the gene regulation of the individual antibiotic biosynthetic genes, which are clustered on the chromosome are discussed. There is a chapter on each on polyketide antibiotic synthesis (erythromycins and tylosin) and non-ribosomal synthesis of peptide antibiotics (penicillins, bacitracin, vancomycin).

The book ends with 3 chapters on identifying new antibiotics. A survey of targets, both "old" and new is presented, and several suggestions for novel ways to interfere with bacterial function are briefly reviewed. Another chapter examines identifying new chemical entities with antibacterial properties. The initial part of the chapter emphasizes combinatorial chemistry approaches. Unfortunately, this process to date has led to only sparse results, with some inhibitors identified. As Walsh notes, the conversion of a chemical inhibitor of an antibacterial enzyme target to a lead compound that can be subsequently endowed with all the myriad pharmacological properties necessary to be a drug is an extremely daunting task. The vast majority of compounds identified cannot be successfully modified to possess the properties necessary to be a drug. A second approach that he covers, the modification by genetic means of antibiotic producing organisms to synthesize new antibiotics (combinatorial biosynthesis), may be more promising.

Walsh closes out the book with some thought provoking chapters around the proper use of antibiotics, and strategies to minimize resistance development. He highlights the antibiotic resistant pathogens of the 21st century, and the continued problem of methicillin resistant staphylococci and vancomycin resistant enterococci. He makes it abundantly clear that there has been no victory in the fight against infectious diseases, and the reports from the front lines are less than encouraging for the future. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fungal ID
It is a well written, and illustrated book for the idenfication of fungi, however, the inclusion of plates for appearance on media and more direct photos would improve the publication (and no doubt increase the cost) otherwise it is a good book for the identication of fungi in the laboratory that processes some fungi, as an offshoot to the microbiology department, a mycology department would include this in its library but would include other texts, and resources. In summary good at uni good on the bench, but would need suplementation in a pure mycology department.

It's a good book for fungi identification
I have had very satisfactory experiences in the use of this book as a guide for the identification of Food Fungi, even though outside written for Fungi of Medical Importance. It displays a very particular approach that makes extremely didactic, mainly for the novices in the subject or that they do not make fungi identification of routine. It presents first a classification of the fungi based on the color of the colony and the characteristic formation of conidias of the fungi genera. In one second part of the book it makes a more detailed description of each one of the considered generas. And finally it makes an review of the main medias used in the isolation and identification of fungi. ... Read more

Book Description

Completely revised and updated, this second edition of the best-selling Molecular Biotechnology covers both the underlying scientific principles and the wide-ranging industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications of recombinant DNA technology.This new edition includes expanded coverage of the types of organisms and cells used in molecular biotechnology, DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, the methodology and applications of genetic engineering of plants, and microbial production of therapeutic agents.Updated chapters reflect recent developments in biotechnology and the societal issues related to it, such as cloning, gene therapy, and patenting and releasing genetically engineered organisms."Milestones" summarize important research papers in the history of biotechnology and their effects on the field.TABLE OF CONTENTS: Fundamentals of Molecular Biotechnology The Molecular Biotechnology Revolution Molecular Biotechnology Biological Systems DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis Recombinant DNA Technology Chemical Synthesis, Sequencing, and Amplification of DNA Manipulation of Gene Expression in Prokaryotes Recombinant Protein Production in Eukaryotic Cells Directed Mutagenesis and Protein Engineering Molecular Biotechnology of Microbial Systems Molecular Diagnostics Microbial Production of Therapeutic Agents Vaccines Synthesis of Commercial Products by Recombinant Microorganisms Bioremediation and Biomass Utilization Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Microbial Insecticides Large-Scale Production of Proteins from Recombinant Microorganisms Eukaryotic Systems Genetic Engineering of Plants: Methodology Genetic Engineering of Plants: Applications Transgenic Animals Human Molecular Genetics Human Gene Therapy Regulating and Patenting Molecular Biotechnology Regulating the Use of Biotechnology Patenting Biotechnology Inventions ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good introductory material for the technical
To those who are interested in the functional aspects of the DNA this is the right introductory stuff. It covers areas including basic molecular biology to commercial methods for manipulating the genes. Pretty useful for someone who's more interested in the technology than the biology!

Good overview but lacks technical rigor
I am currently using this book for a course in Molecular Biotechnology taught through the chemistry department. Although the book covers a wide range of biotechnology fields, from manipulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes through human gene therapy, it does so in a somewhat shallow and repetitive way. I have also seen clearer and more concise diagrams covering similar topics in other biochemistry books, and there is a paucity of in-depth coverage in any particular area. This is not necessarily the authors's fault, however, arising from the plethora of information found in the biotechnology field. If someone wants a broad review of molecular biotechnology, this is a decent book, but if you want to focus on a specific area within biotechnology, look somewhere else. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

great learning aid
This is a great learning tool to help memorize key microbes and other needed material. Visual learning is so much easier and more fun because facts stick to your brain more. I also used the following which is also sold on amazon.com:
Microbiology Study Guide: Key Review Questons and Answers (ISBN: 0971999635)
The second book helped me to know the kind of questions to prepare for on my exams. I am a undergraduate student and found both books very helpful. In fact, I got a 93 average in my college microbiology class.

Good if you have it, but not necessary
It is a great book if you like the idea of coloring (or you liked when you were in kindergarden) and also the theorical information at the side of each slide is very helpful when studying the subject. It is a good addition to your library, but if you'd have to buy a companion to your classes, buy "Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple" by Gladwin and Tattler. In short, a good book that makes the subject more interesting.

great book
This is a great book! It makes everything simple, which is the best way to learn

Micro made interesting
A delightful, easy to understand presentation of microbiology for anyone with a minimal understanding of biology. I will be using this as part of my biological safety training class at work.

A great introduction to microbiology
A wonderful introduction to the complicated subject of microbiology! For all levels from middle school through graduate school. The coloring, as promised, is highly effective for reinforcement and retention. It makes the subject fun (and easy!) ... Read more

Book Description

According to conventional wisdom, our genes and lifestyles are the most important causes of the most deadly ailments of our time.Conventional wisdom may be wrong. In this controversial book, the eminent biologist Paul W. Ewald offers some startling arguments:

-Germs appear to be at the root of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, many forms of cancer, and other chronic diseases.
-The greatest threats to our health come not from sensational killers such as Ebola, West Nile virus, and super-virulent strains of influenza, but from agents that are already here causing long-term infections, which eventually lead to debilitation and death.
-The medical establishment has largely ignored the evidence that implicates these germs, to the detriment of our public health.
-New evolutionary theories are available, which explain how germs function and offer opportunities for controlling these modern plagues — if we are willing to listen to them.

Plague Time is an eye-opening exploration of the revolutionary new understanding of disease that may set the course of medical research for the twenty-first century. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Interesting subject, boring book.
The book is interesting but weaves the theory of evolution into nearly every page. Too preachy on the subject of evolution, genes, etc. Highly sophisticated language, complex scientific jargon used a little too often. Not recommended for the average "unscientifically-trained" reader.

why settle for a century?
The dramatic message of this book is that chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis, are not necessarily caused by an inherent and inevitable breakdown of the human body, but by the action of infectious agents and by the immune response to those agents. Sooner or later, some bug finds its way through your defenses and settles in. Sometimes you know right away (small pox) BUT sometimes it takes years (AIDS, Lyme) sometimes it takes decades (shingles). This is not a new-agey wishful thinking assessment of risks, but a scientific analysis of disease and its causes, based on experimental data. The companion volume "The Evolution of Infectious Disease" covers much of the same ground but gives much detail to satisfy the sceptics.

I'm a scientist (but not a biologist) and I would bet this is one of the 20 century books that will still be a recommended book a century from now. Ewald's theory is still fighting for recognition, but there are so many factors that are "right" about it that it has to prevail (like evolution.) The big questions are about how effectively we can fight quietly acting micro-organisms whose effects don't show up for years or decades.

A little too scientific for the average reader
I found the theories to be very interesting, but found the author tended to repeat himself. I also felt the wording was a little too "scientific" for the average reader. With that said; I still may look read more of his books.

How Stealth Infections cause cancers, heart disease, etc.
"Plague Time (2000)" and Ewald's earlier "Evolution of Infectious Disease (1994)" advocate a new discipline called 'evolutionary epidemiology.'

One of the big shockers in both books is that: "Application of evolutionary principles does not lead to the conclusion that all parasites [including viruses and bacteria] evolve toward benignness."

Only under circumstances where new hosts are relatively hard to infect (due to a clean water supply or screened windows or condoms) are parasites forced to co-exist in a relatively benign state with their current victims. In both books, Ewald uses cholera as an example of a germ that has evolved to benignness in countries with clean water supplies, but is still a killer in countries with bad plumbing.

"Plague Time" takes this thesis a step further and concludes that many so-called chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and certain cancers are also caused--or at least triggered by infection.

Peptic ulcers are a case in point. Even though some doctors back in the 1940s realized that antibiotics could heal ulcers, the technique never caught on in mainstream medicine. It was too easy to blame the patient's life-style and stress levels, and besides 'Helicobacter pylori' was hard to find. Four decades later, researchers in Perth, Australia discovered that patients with ulcers and gastritis improved after tetracycline. One of the researchers, Barry Marshall drank an infective dose of 'H. Pylori,' got gastritis, then cured himself with antibiotics. "Still, it was only in the mid-1990s that the medical establishment finally generally accepted the idea that peptic and duodenal ulcers are infectious diseases."

So what will the decisive medical technologies of the future be, if it is indeed accepted that many chronic illnesses are caused by infection? The author believes that, "Vaccines, antimicrobials, and hygienic improvements may control most heart disease, infertility, mental illnesses, and cancers, especially if these solutions are used not just to decimate pathogens but also to direct the evolution of the causative microbes."

"Plague Time" is a fascinating look at what may be the near-future of medicine if physicians can be trained to look at infectious diseases in terms of evolutionary epidemiology. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Great Textbook
This is a great book! The method at which the material is presented rivals that of medical textbooks. The graphics and illustration are great! Go UC Irvine! Spcial Events Parking Rocks!

A good investment for any microbiology student.
The information presented in this book was very helpful in my understanding of virology. The text was very easily followed and subjects presented in a straightforward manner. Basic Virology is a must have! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

If you like prokaryotes: go and get it!
The best microbiology book I've ever read (I haven't finished yet but it's still fun). I think it is the most up to date textbook in microbiology. It covers both biochemical and signal transduction pathways/networks in prokaryotes as well as principles in systematics and short introductions to medical microbiology and biotechnology. At the end of every chapter the various authors provide references to essential papers and reviews (instead to other books, like in Brocks Biology of Microorganisms) to start getting familiar with journals. The graphics are done with less colours but are very professional and as "easy" to understand as the topic they are representing (chemotaxis is not as easy as described in the stryer or brock). Maybe it's too much to read for undergraduates, but very useful for graduate students. ... Read more

Book Description

This important text, thoroughly updated and rewritten, continues to offer a unique overview of the field of HIV pathogenesis.Since the first successful edition in 1994, substantial advances have been made in many aspects of HIV and AIDS research, including the fields of epidemiology and transmission, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, and HIV-associated cancers.Comprehensive, lucid, and extensively annotated, this book presents the most current knowledge on the many aspects of HIV infection and control.The reference section, greatly expanded, is the most definitive presentation of HIV/AIDS literature available.Brief biographies spotlight scientists and physicians who played a pioneering role in AIDS research and medicine. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

HIV and the pathogenesis of AIDS
This is really excellent book about HIV. It is easy to understand but contains nearly all advanced recent topics including history, immunology and pathogenesis of HIV. Especially for the students who study HIV, this is the best reference for general and specific knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive text describes the diseases associated with water, their causative agents and the ways in which they gain access to water systems. It also details the methods for detecting and identifying waterborne microorganisms, the ways in which they are removed from water, and the risks they present to water users.This handbook will serve as an indispensable reference for public health microbiologists, water utility scientists, research water pollution microbiologists environmental health officers, consultants in communicable disease control and microbial water pollution students.

* In-depth accounts of the micro-organisms which are of significance to public health
* Highlights the basic microbiology, clinical features, survival in the environment, and gives a risk assessment for each pathogen
* Relates the pathogens to water pollution in a practical and research orientated way
* Covers drinking water and both marine and freshwater recreational bathing waters ... Read more

Book Description

Designed to fill the existing gap between introductory texts and very advanced reviews of major virus families, Principles of Virology introduces upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students to all aspects of virology.Written in an engagingly readable style and generously illustrated with over 400 full-color illustrations, this approachable volume offers detailed examples that illustrate common principles, specific strategies adopted by different viruses to ensure their reproduction, and the current state of virology research.

It presents a principles-based discussion of virology, emphasizing the common reactions that must be completed by all viruses for successful reproduction within a host cell and survival and spread within a host population.The molecular basis of alternative reproductive cycles, the interactions of viruses with host organisms, and how these lead to disease are presented with examples drawn from a set of representative animal viruses.

Divided into chapters focusing on specific topics rather than individual viruses, the book allows the student to visualize common themes that cut across virus families, emphasizing the shared features of different viruses.Drawing on the extensive teaching experience of each of its distinguished authors, it illustrates the why and how animal viruses are studied, taking well-known systems and demonstrating how the knowledge gained from these model virus can be used to study viral systems about which our knowledge is still quite limited.

A discussion of viruses in early human cultures, how viruses were discovered, and how the discipline of virology came to be is also provided. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great book, great class!
Having used this book for my Virology class at Princeton (taught by Lynn W. Enquist), it was probably the best accompanying text to this sort of introductory survey virology course. The book can be read through, skipped around or used as a reference - it shines in all three uses. A great categorization of viruses, explanation of all the myriad replication methods they employ, the book is more than an intro text - the references at the end of each chapter point you toward very very good sources for further research. Highly recommended!!

The best in 30 years of Molecular Virology
Watson & Crick take a backseat to the finest virology text in the history of science. The 20th Century has seen no scientist/editor like Jane Flint. Her incisive, detailed investigations into the genesis of Adenovirus study will likely not be equalled in the next millenium.

Newcomers will be happy to know that this book is highly readable and I found that with a glass of Cognac and a cigarette after dinner created just the atmosphere needed to further a keen interest in Influenza virus, HIV. and the immense body of work that has gone into peeling back the layers of the actions of these killers and their close relations.

Field's Virology completely misses the boat the Jane Flint sails, DiCaprio-like into the Atlantic. We all toast her and her comrades in this undertaking . FIVE STARS!

A very good and up-to-date book in virology
This textbook of virology provides a significant background of many kinds of virus that we now know much about. A few textbooks in virology available in the market such as Field's Virology or Fundamental Virology are often too complicated for a beginner and they are also quite expensive for a student. This book comes out as an excellent supplement that is ideal for both undergradaute and graduate courses. Written by very well known experts, you can be assured that you will get a very accurate concept in this book. For example, Jane Flint is an expert in Adenovirus and Robert Krug is a well-known pioneer in influenza and many more.... All of the writers do the great job exploring their expertise that is evident in this book...Try it and you will see. ... Read more