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This volume offers insights into human challenge studies, where adult volunteers are deliberately infected with a pathogen of interest. These studies can broaden our knowledge on infections that have a rather low natural infection rate, but still bear a great threat to global health. The authors also present instances, where no suitable animal model is available to help understand human immune responses to a specific pathogen. The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is another example, where studies that are directly conducted in humans, could save valuable time. Human challenge studies can provide immunogenicity and early efficacy data for vaccine development. However, similar models could be used for studying a wide variety of medical treatments such as monoclonal antibodies, antibiotics, antivirals and bacteriophages. The chapters in this volume cover several pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, scientific and technical aspects as well as descriptions of regulatory, ethical and manufacturing requirements. The book serves as a valuable resource for scientists and clinicians working on human pathogens.

The study and therapeutic application of macrophages is a rapidly developing field. Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the phenotypes and functions of macrophages in healthy and diseased tissues and organs. Following the great success of Volume 62:'Macrophages - Origin, Functions and Biointervention'published in this series, this new book now focuses on the role of monocytes and macrophages in development, regeneration and disease. This new volume offers an overview of the latest developments in monocyte and macrophage subtypes and functions across various tissues including adipose tissue, bones, liver, lungs, testes, and the nervous system. The book also reviews existing and potential therapies targeted towards the macrophages and describes their homeostatic functions. It explores how macrophage cell cycle, metabolism, mitochondrial activity, histone acetylation status, and interaction with the extracellular matrix contribute to changes in macrophage phenotype and function in health and disease. Additionally, it examines the interactions between macrophages and cancer cells, bacteria, helminth parasites, and their role in the colonization and spread of HIV. For ease of reference, the volume is divided into three sections: Part I Nonimmunologic and immunologic functions of monocytes/macrophages Part II Tissue/organ specific functions of macrophages Part III Macrophage functions and dysfunction in diseases This book will be of interest to researchers working in the fields of developmental biology, immunology, cancer research, and therapeutic applications. It is written to inform and inspire experts and newcomers to the field of macrophages.

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic human pathogen that colonizes the mucosal surfaces. It is the causative agent of various serious acute and chronic infections. Recent prevalence of infectious diseases caused and expanded by hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA), community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) and livestock-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (LA-MRSA). MRSA infections must be more serious problem in near future. It is presumed that offense and defense responses are continuously executed between S. aureus and host to establish and maintain commensalism for S. aureus. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate interplay between S. aureus and hosts to prevent staphylococcal infectious diseases. This book is comprised of content that focuses on this aspect.

This textbook, which is the second volume of the book series-Microbial Zoonoses, provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of fungal zoonoses and sapronoses of public importance. The book is divided into two volumes; the chapters in the first volume deals with the general introduction, taxonomy and genomic analysis, classification of fungus, pathogenesis and immunology of fungal infections. The subsequent chapters in this section provide an overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, antifungal agents available for treatment, management, and prevention of fungal zoonoses and sapronoses. It also classifies anti-fungal agents and discusses the mechanism of resistance to these agents. Lastly, it presents the challenges in the treatment of the fungal diseases. The second section discusses important fungal infections and disease causing fungal agents. It also provides information on the pathogenesis, pathology, immunology and clinical manifestations. Cutting across the disciplines, this book act as a guide to the undergraduate and post graduate students of medicine, veterinary and allied sciences who deals with fungal infections.​

The second edition includes new findings that were only a theory in the first edition, clarifying what is beginning to be proven true. All chapters have been updated, and new data on the analysis of major depressive disorder from exosome microRNA (miRNA) in plasma, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease, brain glioma from cerebrospinal fluid miRNA, liver cancer, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell tumorigenesis, and other topics have been added. As predicted in the first edition, diseases can be predicted using the miRNA memory package (MMP) and miRNA entangling target sorting (METS), which could clarify the etiology of human diseases. Because researchers are investigating the relationship between circulating miRNAs and human diseases to develop new medicines, miRNA deep sequencing and detection methods will be high-speed and clever. The microRNA 2000 Transformer - Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence for Health is aimed at intermediate and advanced scientists, clinicians, students, and science enthusiasts. The Author hopes to lay the groundwork for future human health innovation.

This book tells the story of the discovery of microRNA (miRNA) quantum code, the basic theory of biological data science for medical investigation with miRNA, to its implementation. It explains the use of a new algorithm called the miRNA entangling target sorter (METS), based on the quantum computation algorithm, to give the etiologic analysis for diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, and age-related disorders. Providing detailed descriptions to make the METS algorithm simple to grasp, it also explains the accumulated cutting-edged data for human diseases utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for quantum miRNA language (miRNA qubit) (MIRAI). Further, it describes a discovery story for quantum miRNA surveillance against tumors and quantum miRNA immunity against viruses. Since this is a multidisciplinary field of study, crucial details on physics, mathematics, computer science, data science, virology, immunology, oncology, pathology, and biology are supplied.This book will support professional advancement for scientists, clinicians, educators, students, and science enthusiasts. The reader's knowledge of the subject and its practical medical applications will be enriched by the wealth of informative figures and supporting data.

The fourth edition of “Textbook of Microbiology and Immunology” is an extensively revised edition, a healthy mixture of the old and the new contents. Many of the old traditional chapters have been retained with addition of new information along with the inclusion of new chapters more in line with the on-going changes in the syllabus and concepts in Medical Microbiology.While doing so, this book has blended the traditional organism-based learning and a syndrome based approach to infectious disease, together with the introduction of new and modified chapters incorporating the latest information in this field.The book provides an extensive coverage of fundamental topics in general and medical microbiology. The book also lays due emphasis on clinical microbiology with special focus on syndrome based approach to infectious diseases. It includes the basic concepts of microbiology as well as the recent updates and developments in the field of medical microbiology. All the topics havebeen incorporated in seven major sections: General microbiology, Immunology, Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, and Applied and Clinical Microbiology.The dynamic nature of medical sciences with new guidelines and new diagnostic methods coming into the arena necessitates the incorporation of new information in each new edition of a book. This facet has been addressed with the inclusion of recent information on the various aspects of microbiology, infectious diseases and immunology, in the fourth edition of the Textbook of Microbiology and Immunology,which makes it one of the most authoritative and informative textbooks in medical microbiology.The book is an effort to inform and engage a wide spectrum of readers including medical students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, and residents, and faculty. It aims to be a must-have companion book for graduate and advanced undergraduate as well as postgraduate students of medical microbiology, general and allied microbiology, and of immunology.

This is a timely and essential companion to the recently published Antimicrobial Resistance in the 21st Century, Second Edition. Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to global population health, with government reports projecting it could result in over 10 million deaths in the next 35 years. Development of new agents to combat this threat is one of the WHO's top priorities, but in 2017, it conceded that the current drug development pipeline was insufficient to mitigate the threat. This book discusses recent progress and bolster new agent discovery and development, by providing researchers and students who will soon enter the field with a thorough guide to the advancements made in the last decade. Coverage includes new systemic antimicrobials approved since 2010, with detailed analysis of antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, as well as agents in development for future use. Discussion of each drug will include its chemical nature, pharmacology/pharmacokinetics, antimicrobial spectrum, dosage, adverse reactions, drug interactions, microbial resistance, indications, clinical efficacy compared to older agents, and lists of similar agents with cost comparison. This volume is designed for researchers and students of infectious disease and medical microbiology, as well as clinicians in need of a comprehensive guide to newly developed agents.

This volume provides a comprehensive review of programmed cell death pathways and their fundamental role in antiviral host defense. The book deep-dives into the molecular functions and regulation of necroptosis and discusses how viruses induce and manipulate this potent innate cellular sensing system. Initially, understanding of necroptosis emerged from studies on tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling that showed the key role of receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) in the activation of receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) which then phosphorylates mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase (MLKL) to execute cells via plasma membrane leakage of cytosolic contents. Since its discovery, multiple facets of the RIPK3-dependent necroptotic machinery have evolved where the requirements for execution of death varies depending on the stimulus. Virus-induced necroptosis was discovered over 10 years ago in studies on murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV)where a virus-encoded inhibitor was shown to prevent the recruitment of RIPK3 (RIP3). This transformative evidence identified a novel pathway acting independent of TNF, interferon or RIPK1 that can stop virus from infecting its natural mouse host by killing off infected cells to halt replication. Over the past decade influenza A virus (IAV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and poxvirus vaccinia (VACV) have all been shown to trigger the pathway. Herpesviruses and poxviruses also encode inhibitors of caspase-8 whose elaboration unleashes the necroptosis pathway. IAV and other RNA viruses do not encode programmed cell death inhibitors. RIPK3 is also known to induce apoptosis by recruiting RIPK1 as shown nearly a decade ago and this dual apoptosis/necroptosis induction occurs naturally during influenza A virus infection. RIPK3 is also able to induce an inflammatory response independently of programmed cell death that can predominate to drive inflammatory disease outcomes. This volume is a must-read for researchers and advanced students in immunology and virology.

The Latin American region has been at the forefront in combating infections caused by Escherichia coli strains in humans, animals, and the environment. The continuous emergence and evolution of pathogenic E. coli strains associated with human and animal infections have demonstrated that (i) groups of related pathogenic E. coli are responsible for most infections caused by this bacterial species; (ii) diverse virulence phenotypes expressed during infection defined each one of these pathogroups; (iii) the geographical distribution of pathogroups in Latin America and the evolution of new isolates was defined by the dominant pathogroup and presence of distinct virulence strains; (iv) acquisition of mobile elements or accumulation of point mutations accelerate the development of antibiotic resistance in some of these strains. The Latin American Coalition for Escherichia coli Research (LACER), a multidisciplinary network of over seventy research groups in eleven Latin American countries and the USA, was established in 2009 to apply One Health principles in defining and combating this pathogen. The previous edition of this text, Escherichia coli in the Americas (c. 2016) was the culmination of their wisdom about E. coli, from its role as a commensal bacterium to its characteristics as a pathogen causing disease in animals and humans. This new edition presents recent advances and contextualizes all aspects of E. coli in a One Health perspective, from the environment, to animals, to humans. It addresses E. coli interactions with host microbiota, CNS, and phages. It includes cutting edge insights on hybrid strains, molecular mechanisms of virulence and pathogenesis, resistance, domestic and wild reservoirs, disease surveillance in Latin America, genomic analysis, food safety, and new therapies. Crucially, it also provides translations and analysis of key reports on Escherichia colipublished in Spanish and Portuguese. This book serves as a critical resource for scientists in industry and academia, clinicians managing associated infections, and trainees and students studying basic and clinical aspects of E. coli pathogenesis.

This timely book discusses antimicrobial drug resistance, specifically, the resistance against the beta-lactam class of antibiotics by Gram-Negative bacteria. The book is broadly divided into five sections. The first section describes the underlying mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. It gives an insight into the beta-lactamases, their types, classification, inhibitors, etc. The second section delves deep into the genetic basis of resistance. It talks about transposons, integrons, insertion sequences associated with antibiotic-resistant genes. The next section describes phenotypic and molecular methods to detect beta-lactam resistance. The fourth section talks about the epidemiology and prevalence of beta-lactamases in the environment. The last section of the book describes the various therapeutic options to combat this growing public threat of antimicrobial resistance. It talks about the current reserve drugs, as well as the newer antibiotic agents that are in the pipeline. This book is essential for clinical practitioners, students, and researchers in basic and medical microbiology.

The topic of this book, Collectins, is a family of proteins whose major function is in innate immunity, where Collectins act as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). In general they recognize targets such as microbial surfaces and apoptotic cells, and once bound to a target, Collectins promote the clearance of microorganisms and damaged host tissue. New cell-surface proteins and glycoproteins, which act as Collectin receptors, are currently being identified. Some Collectins, particularly MBL, activate the complement system, which enhances the ability of antibodies to fight pathogens, via three MBL-associated proteases, the MASPs. Additionally, recent research has begun to show wider-ranging activities of Collectins, such as: · Their role in metabolism, and therefore their involvement in lifestyle diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.· Their ability to modulate the adaptive immune response, as well as to recognize and trigger apoptosis of cancer cells, which makes them effective in the annihilation of cancer cells with multiple mutations.· The regulation of their expression by gonadal steroid hormones implicates them with critical roles in both male and female fertility.· Altered levels of Collectins have been associated with various autoimmune diseases.This book brings together current knowledge of the structure, functions and biological activities of Collectins, to describe their integral role in human health.

This book offers a summary and discussion of the advances of inflammation and infection in various cancers. The authors cover the classically known virus infections in cancer, novel roles of other pathogens (e.g. bacteria and fungi), as well as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy. Further, the chapters highlight the progress of immune therapy, stem cells and the role of the microbiome in the pathophysiology of cancers.Readers will gain insights into complex microbial communities, that inhabit most external human surfaces and play a key role in health and disease. Perturbations of host-microbe interactions often lead to altered host responses that can promote cancer development. Thus, this book highlights emerging roles of the microbiome in pathogenesis of cancers and outcome of therapy. The focus is on mechanistic concepts that underlie the complex relationships between host and microbes. Approaches that can inhibit infection, suppress chronic inflammation and reverse the dysbiosis are discussed, as a means for restoring the balance between host and microbes.This comprehensive work will be beneficial to researchers and students interested in infectious diseases, microbiome, and cancer as well as clinicians and general physiologists.

This book deals with the paradoxical role of autophagy in tumor suppression and tumor promotion in cancer cells. Autophagy plays opposing, context-dependent roles in tumors; accordingly, strategies based on inhibiting or stimulating autophagy could offer as potential cancer therapies. The book elucidates the physiological role of autophagy in modulating cancer metastasis, which is the primary cause of cancer-associated mortality. Further, it reviews its role in the differentiation, development, and activation of multiple immune cells, and its potential applications in tumor immunotherapy. In addition, it examines the effect of epigenetic modifications of autophagy-associated genes in regulating tumor growth and therapeutic response and summarizes autophagy's role in the development of resistance to a variety of anti-cancer drugs in cancer cells. In closing, it assesses autophagy as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Given its scope, the book offers avaluable asset for all oncologists and researchers who wish to understand the potential role of autophagy in tumor biology.

Volume Immunodeficiency Diseases in Springer's gold-standard reference work on medical immunology focuses on infectious diseases. In tandem with its three counterpart volumes it offers the most wide-ranging and authoritative repository of knowledge on infectious diseases, with readily accessed contributions by the world's leading authorities on the subject. The encyclopedia covers the material from all angles, with more than 1000 pages of essays on the genetics, physiology, metabolism, pathogenesis and applied microbiology of all known infectious diseases, and includes access to an e-reference work that will include ongoing updates reflecting the latest advances in the field.An outstanding new resource of immense value to a wide range of medical researchers and practitioners, the encyclopedia features a user-friendly subdivision of diseases according to their affective locus in the human body. The sections cover integumentary, skeletal, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive transmissible pathogens. This high-profile encyclopedia will be an essential addition to academic libraries worldwide.

In diesem Lehrbuch wird die medizinische Mikrobiologie von den allgemeinen Grundlagen über die Immunologie, die Diagnostik bis hin zur Chemotherapie dargestellt. Dabei sind die Kapitel zu den einzelnen Erregern besonders übersichtlich gestaltet. Um den klinischen Bezug deutlich zu machen, gibt es eine eigene große Sektion zu den Krankheitsbildern. Ein durchdachtes Konzept macht das Lernen leicht: Erreger-Steckbriefe zum schnellen LernenFallbeispieleZusammenfassungen am KapitelendeZahlreiche klinische AbbildungenEnge Vernetzung zwischen Erreger-Kapiteln und den Krankheitsbildern durch viele Querverweise Sämtliche Teilbereiche des Fachgebietes sind enthalten: Grundlagen, Immunologie, Diagnostik, Epidemiologie, Prävention, Hygiene, Bakteriologie, Virologie, Mykologie, Parasitologie, Chemotherapie, wichtige KrankheitsbilderDie HerausgeberProfessor Sebastian Suerbaum ist Vorstand des Lehrstuhls für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Krankenhaushygiene am Max von Pettenkofer-Institut der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Professor Gerd-Dieter Burchard ist tätig im Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin in Hamburg.Professor Thomas Schulz ist Direktor des Instituts für Virologie der Medizinischen Hochschule HannoverProfessor Stefan H.E. Kaufmann ist Direktor am Max-Planck-Institut für Infektionsbiologie in Berlin.

TLR4 is one of the most important innate immunity receptors, its function mainly consisting in the activation of inflammatory pathways in response to stimulation by Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) and Damage Associated Molecular Pattern molecules (DAMPs). This volume critically reviews the different types of TLR4 activators and inhibitors, discusses the role of molecular aggregates in agonism/antagonism as well as the pivotal role of the CD14 receptor in the modulation of TLR4 signal and the molecular details and actors of the intracellular cascade. The book presents the role of TLR4 in several pathologies, such as sepsis and septic shock caused by receptor activation by gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in neurodegenerative and neurological diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer's diseases, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It reviews the role of TLR4 in neural stem cell-mediated neurogenesis andneuroinflammation and in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Cerebral Organoids and discusses the emerging role of micro-RNA (miRNA) regulation by TLR4.

This textbook focuses on the nascent field of Immunoepidemiology that addresses how differences in immune responses among individuals affect the epidemiology of infectious diseases, cancer, hypersensitivity, and autoimmunity. The idea for the book originated from a course entitled “Immunology for Epidemiologists“ at the Yale School of Public Health. While many fine textbooks are available that address the immunological responses of individuals to pathogens, these provided very little information regarding how immunological variation among populations affects the epidemiology of disease. And yet, it has long been recognized that there is great immunologic diversity among people, which can have a profound effect on the epidemiology of disease. Careful review of the immunologic and epidemiologic literature revealed that there have been relatively few publications concerning immunoepidemiology and that no textbook is available on the subject. This textbook therefore aims to fill this void by providing a much-needed tool to comprehensively and efficiently teach immunoepidemiology. The book includes a section on the basic principles of immunology, and then applies them to particular examples of disease in human populations. The target audience for this text book are Masters of Public Health students. Others who should also find it of interest include PhD students in epidemiology, immunology, medical students, generalists, and specialists in immunology, infectious diseases, cancer, and rheumatology.

This new edition highlights the numerous advances made in the field of microbial endocrinology over the last five years. Prominent among these new topics featured is the emergence of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and the role it plays in brain function. Specific focus is given to the role of microbial endocrinology in the evolutionary symbiosis between man and microbe as it relates to both health and disease. With new chapters on the microbiome and its relation to neurochemicals, this new edition brings this important volume up to date.

Ökosystem Darm II setzt den interdisziplinären Dialog fort, der mit dem vor einem Jahr erschienenen Band'Ökosystem Darm: Morphologie, Mikrobiologie, Immunologie - Klinik und Therapie akuter und chronischer entzündlicher Darmerkrankungen'begonnen wurde. Im Mittelpunkt des zweiten Bandes steht die krankheitsauslösende Interaktion zwischen Mikrobiologie und Immunologie vor dem Hintergrund der immer noch unbekannten Entstehungsmechanismen entzündlicher Darmerkrankungen - sowohl in der akuten wie in der chronischen Phase. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß ein biologisches Therapeutikum, die Hefe Saccharomyces cerevisiae, den Teufelskreis sich gegenseitig verstärkender immunologischer und bakterieller Reaktionsabläufe wirksam durchbrechen kann.

Leading experts provide the only comprehensive book examining all aspects of immune response and immune-based treatments for HIV infection. Contributions, divided into three sections, discuss basic mechanisms, immunopathogenesis of HIV infection, and immune-based therapies. Researchers thoroughly review vaccine-including prospects of T cell vaccine-and gene therapy for HIV infection. Additional topics include organization of HIV genes, the role of co-receptors in signaling of lymphocytes, and biological response modifiers. This reference is designed for basic and clinical researchers, internists, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, neuropathologists, oncologists, and rheumatologists.

The recent developments in modern vaccinology are mainly based on: (i) cloning of microbial genes into recombinant vectors containing genetic information for expression of desired neutralizing immunogens; (ii) alternatives of attenuated vectors with deleted genes permitting the insertion of several foreign genes expressing antigens exposed to the host immune system during the abortive replication of such vectors; (iii) combined vaccines with the aim to protect against many diseases with a limited number of administrations; (iv) evidence demonstrating the ability of animals to respond serologically to DNA injections considered as a potential method of vaccination; (v) the possibility to manipulate the immune system with new and improved immunomodulators enhancing the immune response; and (vi) new microcarrier systems for particular immunogens or immunomodulators delivery, either in a single dose or sustained release, and presentation to the immune system for a relevant response. New vaccines being developed are mainly based on viral, bacterial or other vectors modified with genetic engineering technology, to possess and express desired antigens for vaccination against single or multiple infections. Existing combined vaccines like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP) are also experimented with new additional components like recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen, inactivated poliovirus, and Haemophilus inJluenzae type b immunogens, in order to produce multivalent vaccines. Such types of vaccines permitting the reduction of multiple medical visits is of particular interest to pediatric immuni­ zation programs, and would benefit especially the developing countries assuring better vaccine compliance with immunization schedules.

Streptococci and enterococci are the etiologic agents of infectious diseases that rank among the most severe in human pathology. The diagnosis, antibiotherapy, and prevention of the streptococcal diseases have improved considerably. However, the reemergence of severe streptococcal and enterococcal diseases constitutes a growing public health con­ cern, which remains open to scientific and medical debate. The XIII'h Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases, held at Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, September 16---2el, 1996, attracted 505 par­ ticipants from 43 countries. Twenty-two percent of the participants were students, a clear sign of the intense interest in this field. Of the 390 presentations made at the symposium, 260 were submitted as manuscripts for the Proceedings; we have included 249 of these in this volume. This symposium provided a forum for the presentation of the most recent findings and approaches to understanding several important fields, such as new aspects of infec­ tion, bacteria~host interactions, epidemiology, and molecular genetics of streptococci and enterococci. Over the last three years, the study of these subjects has expanded as increas­ ingly sophisticated methods of molecular analysis have been applied to investigate the bi­ ology of pathogenic streptococci and enterococci. Virulence, vaccine strategies, genetics, antibiotic resistance, epidemiology, and immunology are now being examined through the lens of molecular biology. The application of recently developed techniques to this field will continue to yield insight into the mechanism by which these organisms cause disease.

Wolf's discovery demonstrating that a reporter gene is expressed in myocytes subsequent to injection of naked DNA, was exploited by immunologists and vaccinologists to develop a new generation of vaccines. This observation galvanized the research and in a short lapse of time, an oceanic volume of knowledge has been accumulated. The research carried out in a variety of animal models showed the efficacy of genetic immunization against viruses, bacteria, and some parasites by the ability to induce a strong priming effect resulting from long-lasting persistence of plasmid as episomes. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that newborn or infant immune unresponsiveness to classical vaccines can be corrected by genetic immunization. The applications of genetic immunization for prophylaxis of infections was extended to immunotherapy, namely, cancerous, auto­ immune, and allergic diseases. Immunologists have provided pertinent information on the cellular basis of the immune responses elicited by genetic immunization, and molecular biologists have established the molecular basis of intrinsic adjuvant properties of plasmids.

AIDS ist ein zentrales medizinisches Problem unserer Zeit. HIV-Infizierte entwickeln die verschiedensten Krankheiten. Nur der Arzt, der die Symptome richtig zu deuten vermag, wird frühzeitig an eine HIV-Infektion denken. Aktualität aller relevanten Informationen ist hier das oberste Gebot. Deshalb wurde das Werk als Loseblattsammlung konzipiert. Das didaktische Konzept setzt einen neuen Standard, indem es die Arbeiten von 30 Autoren - jeder ein exzellenter Fachmann auf seinem Gebiet - integriert und für den praktischen Bedarf eines jeden Arztes verfügbar macht. Die zweite Auflage enthält das Grundwerk (1. Auflage) sowie die 1. Nachlieferung. Diese enthält folgende neue Daten: Epidemiologische Daten international und die Situation in Deutschland; ein neues Kapitel über die rechtlichen Grundlagen im Zusammenhang mit der Behandlung HIV-infizierter Patienten; neue Therapieansätze wie z. B. Aciclovir, AL-721, AZT, Interleukin, Pentosan-Polysulfat und was sie in der Therapie zu leisten vermögen.

Mit Beiträgen zahlreicher Fachwissenschaftler

The Brescia division of the Italian Association of Blood donors (AVIS­ Brescia) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1985. The idea of organizing a Postgraduate Course on Viral Hepatitis on this occasion developed for ob­ vious reasons. Viral hepatitis is a major concern in blood transfusion and Brescia is located in the region of Lombardy characterized by a high HBsAg carrier rate in its population. Thus it seemed timely to convene a scientific forum in which the present state of knowledge on viral hepatitis would be summarized. This would allow us to review the tremendous progress achieved over the last 15 years, and also to focus on latest developments which pave the way for future investigation. The publication of the proceedings of this meeting was considered use­ ful, since it provides a tangible reminder of a comprehensive overview of the broad topic of viral hepatitis, its complications, and its connections with the practice of blood transfusion. The organizers were fortunate in obtaining the active participation of recognized experts in a variety of hepatological diSCiplines. Their contri­ butions summarized the more mature areas of knowledge in the field, in­ cluding clinical aspects, epidemiology and morphology, as well as newer developments in the forefront of hepatitis research, like new diagnostic techniques, oncogenesis, treatment, and vaccination.

Band 3 der Reihe Ökosystem Darm befaßt sich mit den Abwehrmechanismen im Magen-Darm-Trakt. Dieses Thema ist besonders wichtig, da Ätiologie und Pathogenese verschiedener Erkrankungen des Dünn- und Dickdarmes immer noch weitgehend ungeklärt sind und die immunologischen Abwehrmechanismen möglicherweise dabei eine Schlüsselrolle einnehmen. Die interdisziplinäre Darstellung trägt zum besseren Verständnis dieser Vorgänge bei und ermöglicht dem Arzt gezieltes therapeutisches Vorgehen.

Development of new-generation vaccines is now more challenging than ever, as identifying, purifying and evaluating vaccine antigens is a complex undertaking. Most importantly, once the relevant antigens have been identified, key focus then shifts to the development of suitable delivery systems and formulations to achieve maximum in vivo potency with minimum potential side effects. These novel formulations—many of which will be nanoparticulates—can deliver the antigens to the desired site, to the relevant antigen presenting cells, and prevent systemic exposure of the immune potentiators. The proposed book will outline all the critical steps that need to be considered for successful development of various types of nanoparticulate delivery systems for vaccine antigens. These contributions from leading experts in the area of vaccine formulation and delivery systems will tie in what is the most current status, including clinical evaluations with these novel vaccine technologies.​

Development and Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance One of the most ominous trends in the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy over the past decade has been the increasing pace of development of antimicrobial resistance among microbial pathogens. The hypothesis that man can discover a magic bullet to always cure a particular infection has proved false. Physicians are now seeing and treating patients for which there are few therapeutic alternatives, and in some cases, none at all. Until recently there was little concern that physicians might be losing the war in our ability to compete with the evolving resistance patterns of microbial pathogens. Now the general public is very aware of the threat to them if they become infected, thanks to cover story articles in major magazines such as Time, Newsweek, newspapers, and other news sources. Antimicrobial resistance is not a novel problem. Shortly after the widespread introduction of penicillin in the early 1940s, the first strains of penicillin-resistant staphylococci were described. Today it is an uncommon event for a clinical laboratory to isolate an S. aureus that is sensitive to penicillin. Other gram-positive strains of bacteria have become resistant, including the exquisitely sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae. Sensitivity to vancomycin was once so uniform that it was used in routine clinical laboratories as a surrogate marker for whether an organism should be classified as a gram-positive. That criterion can no longer be relied upon because of emerging resistance among some species. Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites all have succeeded in developing resistance.

Volume 3 is devoted to the latest diagnostic technology for virus diseases, particularly molecular methodologies.

The Immunoassay Kit Directory, Series B: Infectious Diseases deals with commercially available immunoassay kits for the diagnosis of clinically important infectious diseases. Detailed information about each kit is provided; over 19 different major parameters are listed in a consistent manner to allow for easy comparison. Each organism is introduced by a short article and there are also review articles of relevance to the current issue. Comprehensive indexes are provided. This part of the Directory covers kits for the diagnosis of genitourinary infections such as chlamydia, hepatitis A, B, C and D, herpes simplex, HIV, HTLV, neisseria, streptococcus and treponema. In total almost 600 kits are described in detail. Further parts of the Directory deal with respiratory infections (Part 2) and enteric and other infections (Part 3).

AIDS ist immer noch eine nicht zu vernachlässigende Erkrankung in Deutschland. Nur der Arzt, der die Symptome richtig zu deuten vermag, wird frühzeitig an eine HIV-Infektion denken. Das vorliegende Werk erläutert aber vor allem aber auch die neuesten Therapieverfahren. Durch regelmäßige Folgelieferungen (etwa 3 pro Jahr) bleiben Sie immer auf dem aktuellsten Stand Forschung und können Ihre Patienten optimal betreuen.

Approx.464 pagesApprox.464 pages - Get the depth of coverage you need in a smaller, more manageably sized book. Through meticulous editing and reorganization, primary material remains in the book while more specialized and clinical material has been moved online. - Master the most cutting-edge concepts in immunology. Thorough updates throughout provide the timely knowledge you need ace your exams.

Provided here are both reviews and recent results of studies with medically important fungi. Throughout the volume, outstanding mycologists treat the ecological role of pathogenic fungi, how they cause disease, their interactions with the immune system, and their responses to antifungal agents. Most of the presented results are based on molecular biological approaches: areas where classical and descriptive methods are applied are also included.

AIDS wird immer deutlicher zum zentralen medizinischen Problem unserer Zeit. HIV-Infizierte entwickeln die verschiedensten Krankheiten. Diese verlaufen ernster und oft anders, als wir gewohnt sind. Nur der Arzt, der die Symptome richtig zu deuten vermag, wird frühzeitig an eine HIV-Infektion denken. Je früher aber diese Infektion erkannt wird, um so erfolgreicher können die opportunistischen Krankheitsbilder behandelt werden, um so aussichtsreicher ist die Gabe von AZT, um so eher kann der Infizierte andere vor Ansteckung schützen. Das didaktische Konzept dieses Werkes setzt einen neuen Standard, indem es die Arbeiten von 29 Autoren - jeder ein exzellenter Fachmann auf seinem Gebiet - integriert und für den praktischen Bedarf eines jeden Arztes verfügbar macht. AIDS und die Vorstadien ist als Loseblattwerk konzipiert. Durch 4 Ergänzungslieferungen im Jahr (etwa 120 Seiten/ Lieferung) bleibt das Werk immer auf dem neuesten Stand.

Der vorliegende Band vermittelt einen interdisziplinären und deshalb auf seine Art ungewöhnlichen Überblick über neueste wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse, Störfaktoren und die praktisch-therapeutische Beeinflußbarkeit des Ökosystems Darm. Der Themenkatalog reicht vom M. Crohn bis zur mehr und mehr verbreiteten und deshalb relevanten Reisediarrhoe. Die diskutierten therapeutischen Ansätze zielen nicht nur auf die Behebung akuter und chronischer Störungen hin, sondern bedenken auch prophylaktische Möglichkeiten, beispielsweise mit Hefezellen. Sorgfältig redigierte Auszüge aus den Expertendiskussionen der zugrundeliegenden Tagung verbinden die interdisziplinären Einzelbeiträge zu einem hochaktuellen'Informationssystem'über das Ökosystem Darm. Diese Neu-Definition des menschlichen Verdauungstraktes macht dem Leser erstmals bewußt, auf welch vielfältige und drastische Weise das äußerst komplex regulierte Intestinalorgan aus dem Gleichgewicht geraten kann. Die Therapie bemüht sich, mit diesem Umstand Schritt zu halten. Sie macht Fortschritte, weil das wachsende Verständnis für die Regulationsmechanismen gezieltere Eingriffsmöglichkeiten verspricht.

Der Einsatz von Antibiotika ist integraler Bestandteil der Therapie im Bereich der operativen Medizin. Zu definieren sind die Randbedingungen, Auswahl und Kombination, Dauer, Prophylaxe oder Therapie und unerwünschte Wirkung. Fragen der Dosierung bei eingeschränkter Organfunktion müssen beachtet werden. In einem interdisziplinären Gespräch zwischen Vertretern der operativen Fächer, Mikrobiologen, Hygienikern, Immunologen und Pharmakologen werden in diesem Buch Empfehlungen über den Einsatz von Antibiotika in der täglichen Routine erarbeitet. Ein Kapitel ist dem Problem der Probengewinnung und ihres Transportes und der Interpretation der mikrobiologischen Befunde gewidmet. Speziell abgehandelt werden die Idee der selektiven Darmdekontamination und Fragen des Einsatzes von Immunglobulinen in Kombination mit Antibiotika.

Presenting the basic concepts and clinical implications of respiratory infection, with special emphasis on the role of the immune system, the field's leading researchers contribute detailed chapters on most of the major pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Their work will stimulate new research by microbiologists and immunologists, teach clinicians the interaction between microorganisms and the host, and provide health professionals with information necessary to evaluate public health procedures.

At this congress there were again numereous reports of progress in immunology. The new technologies are continuing to have an immense impact: gene isolation, mutation, transfection and expression, protein structure andpeptide synthesis, cell cloning, hybridization and monoclonal antibodies, CD serology, SCID and transgenic mice, modern immunomodulation and vaccines. A trmendous mass of data has accumulated over the last years. The reports are up-to-date and outstanding,to a degree no journal will ever achieve, and the results are presented in a concise and lucid way. This report will serve as a guideline for the years to came, because it is a treasure trove of explorations, making it exciting reading. This progress presents outstanding contributions. Immunology is exhibited at its best: an exciting research area and a rewarding subject to study for the benefit of mankind - today more than ever.

Phagocytic cells and complement are probably the most important components of host defense against bacteria which, after overcoming the mucosal and epithelial barriers, multiply in the subepithelial tissue and may threaten to disseminate and invade the blood stream and different organs. Questions concerning the factors which regulate the interactions of the bacterial cell with host defenses are a challenge to research and lead to practical applications for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of infectious diseases. The questions of expression and regulation of virulence related bacterial genes and gene products, the specific mechanisms of defence reactions by complement and phagocytic cells, their mutual interactions with bacteria and especially bacterial surfaces are focused. Considerations on how to translate this knowledge into the management of infectious diseases are also included.

The genus Pseudomonas represents a large group of medically and envi­ ronmentally important bacteria. Interest in these bacteria is reflected in the extensive number of publications devoted to original research, re­ views, and books on this subject. In this volume selected areas of Pseu­ domonas research are presented in depth by persons who have been active in their fields over many years. The extensive reviews presented are an effort to provide a balanced perspective in a number of areas not readily available in the current literature. In the style of the previous Biotechnology Handbooks most of these topics have not been reviewed at all, and several are also presented from a new direction. For example, in addition to structural and compositional aspects, the chapter on lipids provides shifts in lipid parameters that result from environmental changes. This information will be invaluable to a cross section of Pseu­ domonas researchers in pathogenesis and bioremediation. The chapters presented include basic aspects of plasmid biology and carbohydrate metabolism and regulation. A major emphasis is placed on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa cell surface. Chapters cover lipo­ polysaccharide, capsular polysaccharide and alginate, the outer mem­ brane, transport systems, and the flagellum. Uptake of iron is also neces­ sarily an important portion of the chapter on iron metabolism.

This volume focuses on the evidence for or against molecular mimicry as a cause of autoimmunity. Contributions from recognized experts present their original findings, and the final chapter reviews the overall perspective of molecular mimicry, how to use its principles in clinical investigation and list the conceptual traits by which autoimmune disaese can occur.

Oral immunization has a fascinating and frequently successful history, yet it has been largely overshadowed by other immunization methods. Various vaccines that lead to the induction of antibodies in respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts are currently under development, and others are in use for the immunization of animals as well as humans. This volume gives oral immunization the attention it deserves in light of recent methodological and technical advances in antigen delivery systems.

1. Die Zahl AIDS-erkrankter Drogenabhängiger nimmt ständig zu und wird in den nächsten Jahren auch größenordnungsmäßig noch steigen. Progression der HIV-Infektion und klinische Bilder entsprechen denen 2. anderer betroffener Gruppen. Kaposi-Sarkom kommt allerdings kaum vor. Bei HIV-infizierten Drogenabhängigen ist mit gehäuftem Auftreten von 3. bakteriellen Pneumonien, Sepsis, Endocarditis und Lungentuberkulose vor der eigentlichen AIDS-Manifestation zu rechnen. Sucht ist eine Krankheit mit spezifischen Ausprägungen, die man kennen 4. und berücksichtigen sollte. Prinzipielles Wohlwollen ist gegenüber Dro­ genabhängigen angebracht-aber kein leichtfertiges Vertrauen. 5. Jede drogenfreie Zeit ist für den Abhängigen eine Chance auf dem Weg zu einer »un -abhängigen