Search

The second volume of the book Emerging Human Viral Diseases discusses pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutic strategies against viral encephalitis, gastroenteritis, and human immunodeficiency viral infections. The chapters discuss symptoms, diagnostics, and preventive strategies against viral infections. The book also reviews the epidemiology and evolution of viruses causing these infections. It also examines symptoms and strategies for developing novel diagnostics and the vaccine against these viruses. Toward the end, it discusses various biosafety principles for handling emerging viruses and reviews various bioinformatics tools and databases in virology research. This timely book offers valuable resource for the scientists working in the field of emerging viral infections and those involved in preventing, controlling, and managing viral diseases. Inclusively this book will be valuable guide covering most recent scientific progress in emerging human viral diseases and management and will serve as the best resource for undergraduates, graduates, medical professionals, researchers, public health physicians, and national and international health authorities.

The second edition of this book provides a completely updated account of the structure, dynamics, and physics of viral particles: from the moment they emerge by self-assembly from viral components produced in the infected cell, through their extracellular stage, until they recognize and infect a new host cell and cease to exist as they lose their physical integrity to initiate a new infectious cycle. New insights into the structure of viruses, their physical properties, and mechanisms of action, derived from results obtained in the last decade, have been included, as well as other (bio)physical techniques to study the structure or dynamics of virus particles and components. These include, among many others, new advances in high-resolution electron cryomicroscopy; novel approaches in the use of electron cryotomography or the application of soft X-ray tomography to study viruses in the infected cell; high-speed atomic force microscopy to study virus assembly and dynamics; and the development of new antiviral drugs and vaccines. as well as of many nanomedical and nanotechnological applications of virus particles. New chapters on the study of viruses inside infected cells and on technological applications of modified viral particles have been included in this second edition. The book is still aimed primarily at Master's students, Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral researchers with degrees in biology, chemistry, physics or related scientific disciplines who have an interest in or are working with viruses. It provides an up-to-date overview of many important concepts, techniques, studies and applications in structural and physical virology for specialized researchers working with viruses, regardless of their field of specialization, covering the latest research together with fundamental concepts and well-established facts. In short, this book is basic enough to be used by undergraduate and Ph.D. students, but advanced and up-to-date enough for experienced scientists with an interest in structural and/or physical virology.

Latin America has extensive microbial diversity and is endemic for a wide array of infectious agents including dengue, chikungunya, malaria and tuberculosis. In 2014, the WHO cited 93 public health events of potential international concern in the Latin American region where over half (47 events) were caused specifically by chikungunya and other zoonotic pathogens, causing geographically widespread impact affecting 27 countries and territories. Arena, alpha and flaviviruses are RNA viruses, many of which are endemic in South America, are diverse in nature, and can adapt easily to new hosts, creating zoonotic threats. Since more than 70% of emerging diseases are caused by zoonotic agents, it is of great importance to enhance the capacity for detection and diagnosis in the areas where they are most likely to emerge. COVID-19 provided an opportunity to reinforce public health capacities, improve reporting transparency, and enhance regional coordination. Limited but consistent research has been carried out in the region to address the viral threats that account for a significant portion of health concerns. This book describes relevant examples of these achievements and discusses ongoing limitations in the region.

This volume provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the various aspects of Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever, a frequently fatal zoonotic disease endemic to West Africa. Compiled by world-leading experts in the field, this book provides an introduction to the 50-year history of Lassa fever research, the genetic diversity of LASV, and its geographic distribution. Subsequent chapters focus on the ecology and epidemiology of LASV, discussing in-depth the interactions of the virus with its hosts - multimammate mice and other rodents - and the interactions between these animal reservoirs and humans. The book also details the many advances in understanding the structural biology and replication of LASV, including new insights into the structure and function of its proteins. These advances in the basic understanding of LASV biology have enabled the development of LASV countermeasures, including sensitive and specific diagnostic assays. Promising drugcandidates, including monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines are also discussed. A final and essential chapter addresses current and future clinical practice for clinical management of Lassa fever. This volume is intended for researchers and clinicians in the fields of virology, epidemiology, and microbiology.

Virus-infected Cells is a comprehensive and technical exploration of the intricate interactions between viruses and host cells. This book delves into the molecular and cellular aspects of viral infections, providing a wealth of knowledge about various viruses and their effects on cellular mechanisms. The first part of the book covers general/technical aspects, introducing the reader to the field of virology and providing an overview of the techniques used to study virus-infected cells. It covers topics such as the visualisation of virus-infected cells by cryo-electron tomography and the assessment of necroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, in virus-infected cells. In addition, the book explores the role of apoptosis and phagocytosis as antiviral mechanisms, as well as the intricate process of viral membrane fusion and penetration. It also discusses the tracking of viral entry into living cells and the use of correlative cryo-imaging to study the biology of virusesin cells and tissues. Finally, the book examines the cytopathic effect induced by viruses, shedding light on the damage caused to infected cells. The second section of the book explores specific viruses and their interactions with host cells. Each chapter focuses on a specific virus and provides an in-depth look at its behaviour within infected cells. The book covers a wide range of viruses, including human papillomavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, African swine fever virus, coronavirus, influenza A virus and human endogenous retroviruses. Each chapter examines unique aspects of virus-host interactions, such as viral assembly, impact on the cytoskeleton, critical host-virus interactions mediated by viral RNA, mechanisms of cell entry, and the involvement of cholesterol in virus budding and scission. This volume in the Subcellular Biochemistry series is a valuable resource for researchers, virologists and students interested in understanding the complex dynamics between viruses and the cells they infect. With its detailed exploration of general and specific aspects of virus-host interactions, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in viral infections.

This book intends to report the new progress of pseudotyped viruses, including the construction of pseudotyped viruses with different strategies or vectors for most important viruses. Especially for emerging viruses, optimization of the condition and parameters for assay development based on the pseudotyped viruses and widely application as surrogate of authentic virus to study the biological functions of virus, detection of neutralizing antibody, screening viral entry inhibiters, and others. It includes most pseudotyped viruses that have the protein of the target virus on the surface of the parent virus with incomplete genome. The book is likely to be of interest to all researchers in the field of virology, vaccine, and anti-viral drug development and evaluation.

This book highlights key findings generated during the past years from the main disciplines that constitute Physical Virology, from theoretical physics and simulations to material sciences and vaccines development to structural biology. Each chapter is written by world-class scientists from these areas and is a comprehensive review of where this field stands, as well as the future of Physical Virology. The diversity in the formal training of these scientists results in solving common problems using very distinct approaches, which can produce surprising findings. The multi- and interdisciplinary nature of this field has created a remarkable community that aims at understanding how viruses work and how they can be used in material sciences, chemistry, and biomedicine. Furthermore, the development of Physical Virology has resulted in technological advances that have shaped other fields; for example, it would be impossible to think about the development of Cryo-EM to solve the structure of complex viruses with atomic resolution without the contribution of scientists that created the field of Physical Virology. In the past decade, there has been a great success in the generation of viral systems that can encapsulate drugs, non-viral genetic material, or nanoparticles, as well as in the chemical and genetical modification of virions. Without any doubt in the immediate future, some of these technologies will jump from the bench to the market, creating a revolution in translational and biomedical sciences. The book provides key perspectives for the field, derived from expert´s opinions.

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.

Recent discoveries in microbiology are hard to grasp for those unfamiliar with scientific jargon, and the research data can be overwhelming even for those working in other scientific fields. This book aims to remedy this situation by presenting the most interesting findings and current trends in microbiology in an easy-to-read and understandable format. The first part tells the story of the beginnings of microbiology itself and introduces the reader to the founders of this fascinating research discipline. The second part focuses on communication between microorganisms and how they organize themselves into fascinating microbial cities called “biofilms”. The reader also learns how bacteria exchange genetic material - mechanisms that are the root of the emergence of multidrug-resistant superbugs, pathogens that pose a major burden to human health and our healthcare systems. The third part is devoted to the latest techniques being used by scientists to study, control, and manipulate microorganisms for our benefit. The final part links the first three parts together and highlights how infectious diseases, including coronaviruses, can be transmitted from animals to humans, how global warming is affecting emerging diseases, and provides information on the actions that need to be taken to get ahead of pathogenic microbes and future pandemics. This comprehensive, state-of-the-art book is intended for anyone interested in microbiology and epidemiology, from biology and biomedical students in schools and colleges, to patients suffering from infectious diseases who want to learn more about their condition. The concepts covered in this book contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Health and Well-Being.

This book focuses on the important discoveries of the small molecule-, peptide-, and protein-based virus entry inhibitors and discusses advance of the development of different type of virus entry inhibitors as a novel class of antiviral drugs for treatment and prevention of viral infection. It includes entry inhibitors of HIV,HeV, NiV, RSV, EBOV, HCoV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HPV, flavivirus and influenza virus, so on. This book aims at providing an updated knowledge on virus entry inhibitors.

The book Coronavirus Therapeutics Volume II provides the most comprehensive review on contemporary knowledge on the consequences during the outbreak of Coronavirus. This also describes the clinical features, diagnostic evaluation and management of Coronavirus patients. Using an integrative approach to the understanding of paradigm gap in host-pathogen interaction studies to the management of Coronavirus patients in the Intensive Care Unit to the current challenges for the effective management of Coronavirus pandemic risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and repercussion on the central and peripheral nervous system.Key basic and clinical research laboratories from major universities, academic medical hospitals, biotechnology and pharmaceutical laboratories around the world have contributed articles that review present research activity on the role of heat shock proteins in human diseases and importantly project the field into the future. Thebook is a must read for graduate students. medical students, basic science researchers and postdoctoral scholars in the fields of Cancer Biology, Oncology, Cardiovascular Diseases, Microbiology, Inflammation, Translational Medicine, Clinical Research, Biotechnology, Cell & Molecular Medicine, Pharmaceutical Scientists and Researchers involved in Drug Discovery.

The book Coronavirus Therapeutics Volume I provides the most comprehensive review on contemporary knowledge on the origin and structural biology and molecular aspects of Coronaviruses. This also describes the etiology and pathogeny and therapeutic targets including vaccine drug candidates against Coronaviruses in the light of current scientific knowledge. Using an integrative approach to the understanding of Coronaviruses structure, function and immunobiology, the contributors provide a synopsis of novel mechanisms by which Coronaviruses can be treated.Key basic and clinical research laboratories from major universities, academic medical hospitals, biotechnology and pharmaceutical laboratories around the world have contributed articles that review present research activity on the role of heat shock proteins in human diseases and importantly project the field into the future. The book is a must read for graduate students. medical students, basic science researchers and postdoctoral scholars in the fields of Cancer Biology, Oncology, Cardiovascular Diseases, Microbiology, Inflammation, Translational Medicine, Clinical Research, Biotechnology, Cell & Molecular Medicine, Pharmaceutical Scientists and Researchers involved in Drug Discovery.

This book discusses current evidence on human viruses and provides an extensive coverage of newly emerged viruses and current strategies for treatment. Offering a new perspective in view of the re-emergence of Ebola in African countries and Dengue in India and Pakistan, the contents include chapters on emergence, pathogenicity, epidemiology and vaccine uptake. Human Viruses: Diseases, Treatments and Vaccines: The New Insights discusses a range of viruses from the most common such as Influenza and Hepatitis to Zika, Poliomyelitis and Chikungunya among many others. It is authored by a team of experts on viral disease and will be of immense use to virologists, public health experts and clinicians.

In December 2019, the world witnessed the occurrence of a new coronavirus to humanity. The disease spread quickly and became known as a pandemic globally, affecting both society and the health care system, both the elderly and young groups of people, and both the men's and women's groups. It was a universal challenge that immediately caused a surge in scientific research. Be a part of a world rising in fighting against the pandemic, the Coronavirus Disease - COVID-19 was depicted in the early days of the pandemic, but updated by more than 200 scientists and clinicians to include many facets of this new infectious pandemic, including i, characteristics, ecology, and evolution of coronaviruses; ii, epidemiology, genetics, and pathogenesis (immune responses and oxidative stress) of the disease; iii, diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical manifestations of the disease in pediatrics, geriatrics, pregnant women, and neonates; iv, challenges of co-occurring the disease with tropical infections, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and cancer and to the settings of dentistry, hematology, ophthalmology, and pharmacy; v, transmission, prevention, and potential treatments, ranging from supportive ventilator support and nutrition therapy to potential virus- and host-based therapies, immune-based therapies, photobiomodulation, antiviral photodynamic therapy, and vaccines; vi, the resulting consequences on social lives, mental health, education, tourism industry and economy; and vii, multimodal approaches to solve the problem by bioinformatic methods, innovation and ingenuity, globalization, social and scientific networking, interdisciplinary approaches, and art integration. We are approaching December 2020 and the still presence of COVID-19, asking us to call it COVID (without 19).

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a serious global pandemic in just eight months. Nearly every country and territory in the world has been affected by the virus. The virulence and infection rate of the virus are profound, and has required extreme social distancing measures across the globe in order to prevent overwhelming the healthcare services and hospitals. COVID-19 appears to have the greatest effects on elderly individuals and those who have co-morbid diseases, such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes. As the peak begins to slow in many countries, the death rates remain high amidst justified fears of a second wave. A rapid worldwide mobilization has begun to identify effective treatments and develop vaccines.This new volume will increase readers'understanding of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic through a series of chapters that address these concerns. Leading experts will discuss the effects of the virus in cases of co-morbidities, new treatment approaches, mental health aspects of the pandemic, and convey the results of survey studies. The book will be an excellent resource for researchers studying virology, metabolic diseases, respiratory disorders, and clinical scientists, physicians, drug companies, and healthcare services and workers.

This volume aims at presenting the latest international research and discoveries in the neurocognitive aspects and complications in HIV/AIDS, and how this understanding can shape and inform how we think about clinical practice and patient care in HIV/AIDS as well as lead to a better understanding of the underlying neuropathogenesis.The chapter,'Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Impacts on the Pathophysiology and Phenotype of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders', of this book is available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com

This book discusses various components of the innate and adaptive immune response in combating viral infections, presenting the recent advances in our understanding of innate immunity recognition of viruses and highlighting the important role of inflammation, cytokines such as interferon, toll-like receptors and leukocytes in the initial detection of invading viruses and subsequent activation of adaptive immunity. It also summarizes the role of the adaptive immunity against viral infections through clearance of virus and establishment of memory response that protects against the recurrent infections. In addition, the book examines the role of DNA and RNA sensors in viral recognition and in controlling viral infection. Lastly, it reviews the latest developments in the development of the rational viral vaccines. As such it is a useful resource book for postgraduate and early researchers wanting to gain insights into the immune response to viral infections.

This book gathers a series of pivotal papers on the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine published in the last two decades. Accompanied by extensive comments putting the material into an up-to-date context, all three parts of the book offer a broad overview of the numerous unsuccessful attempts made in recent years to develop a preventive HIV vaccine. Providing a detailed review and analysis of studies published from 1998 to the present day, it examines the likely reasons for the failure to develop an HIV vaccine despite multi-million dollar investments.

Global Virology, Volume III: Virology in the 21st Century examines work that has been undertaken, or is planned, in several fields of virology, in an effort to promote current and future work, research, and health. Fields and methods addressed include virology, immunology, space research, astrovirology/astrobiology, plasmids, swarm intelligence, bioinformatics, data-mining, machine learning, neural networks, critical equations, and advances in biohazard biocontainment. Novel and forward-looking methods, techniques, and approaches in research and development are presented by experts in the field.

This volume discusses the interactions between viruses and their host cells, and explores the roles of host and viral genes and non-coding RNAs in the virus replication cycle. During infection, viruses express a variety of genes, encoding proteins and RNAs that serve to subjugate the cell – by redirecting cellular processes to support viral replication and, at the same time, by mitigating the cellular response to infection. In this book, experts discuss these interactions in depth, and elaborate on our current understanding of virus-cell interactions for a diverse range of viruses, including positive and negative sense RNA viruses, DNA viruses, and a vector-borne virus. The roles of non-coding RNAs are also discussed. While each class of viruses has distinct replication requirements, this volume reveals unique features and commonalities in viral replication cycles. Accordingly, it represents a valuable source of information for researchers and clinicians alike.

This book will give an overview on viruses undergoing proteolytic activation through host proteases. The chapters will be organized in three themed parts, the first part describing respective viruses and their characteristics in detail. In the second part the molecular and cellular biology of the proteases involved as well as their physiological functions will be further explored. The third part will contain a chapter on protease inhibitors that are promising tools for antiviral therapy. This book will engage scholars in virology and medical microbiology as well as researchers with an interest in enzymology and protein structure and function relationship.

This volume summarizes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of HIV-1 latency, in characterizing residual viral reservoirs, and in developing targeted interventions to reduce HIV-1 persistence during antiretroviral therapy. Specific chapters address the molecular mechanisms that govern and regulate HIV-1 transcription and latency; assays and technical approaches to quantify viral reservoirs in humans and animal models; the complex interchange between viral reservoirs and the host immune system; computational strategies to model viral reservoir dynamics; and the development of therapeutic approaches that target viral reservoir cells. With contributions from an interdisciplinary group of investigators that cover a broad spectrum of subjects, from molecular virology to proof-of-principle clinical trials, this book is a valuable resource for basic scientists, translational investigators, infectious-disease physicians, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and the general public.

This book provides a comprehensive review of the major barriers to HIV cure and vaccine. It covers the fundamental virology and immunology leading to HIV transmission, protection from infection and long term HIV persistence on antiretroviral therapy. In addition, strategies being tested to eliminate persistent HIV and the rational design of vaccines to induce protective immunity are covered. This book also discusses the challenges related to the design of clinical trials for testing the safety and efficacy of these innovative approaches. This book will provide a systematic overview and also discuss controversial issues for researchers in virology and immunology, as well as practicing physicians, and scientists in the pharmaceutical industry.

This volume focuses on virus-host cell interactions, cellular genes acquired or modulated by viruses, the pathological effects of these interactions, and therapeutic interventions. Several chapters specifically address the role of viruses and genes – such as oncogenes, proto-oncogenes, or tumor suppressor genes – in the etiology of human cancer. Oncogenic signaling by PI3 kinase, mTOR, Akt, or the major cancer drivers MYC and RAF, and the role of tumor suppressors like p53, are discussed in detail. The volume also explores the emerging role of noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs in tumorigenesis and cancer therapeutics, and offers new insights into the role of HIV-host interactions relevant to pathogenesis and treatment. Gathering contributions written by leading scientists in their respective fields, the volume offers a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians alike.

This book on NeuroAIDS, a collection of chapters written by experts and specialists from around the world, provides a global perspective on HIV and NeuroAIDS in the field, clinic, and laboratory. The chapters address the comorbidity of HIV and other infectious agents, including Zika virus, Ebola, Chagas disease, TB and HCV. Also discussed are key topics, such as:· Molecular socioepidemiology· Global HIV and NeuroAIDS· Neuropathology· cART and blood-brain barrier penetration· HIV replicative oscillations· HIV and SIV evolution· Psychiatric comorbidities· Neurosyphilis · The examination of current and innovative models of translational research to translational effectiveness

This volume provides an overview of recent advances in our understanding of the biology of marburg- and ebolaviruses. It focuses on four essential areas: 1) ecology, outbreaks and clinical management, 2) disease, pathogenesis and protection, 3) virus replication inside the cell, and 4) molecular tools for virus study and taxonomy. For 50 years, these viruses have spilled over sporadically and without warning from their wildlife reservoirs, often causing major outbreaks and high fatalities. The consequences can be devastating, with a clear potential for global reach, as demonstrated by the 2013 West African outbreak of Ebola virus, which led to over 28,000 reported cases across three continents and more than 11,000 deaths. Given the international threat posed by these viruses, the pace and scope of basic research have also greatly intensified, ranging from studies of virus emergence, epidemiology, antiviral countermeasures and human disease to detailed mechanistic studies of virus entry, replication, virion assembly and protein structure. Written by internationally respected experts, this book will appeal to a wide audience and be a valuable resource for basic researchers, clinicians and advanced students alike.

This book describes the molecular biology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, and potential strategies for control of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection. It offers insight into the structure and functions of CHIKV proteins as they relate to host response, interaction with the arthropod vector, and vaccination. A detailed account of both the epidemiological outlook and the clinical syndrome of CHIKV infection is provided. The complex host-virus interaction and the signaling pathways that mediate such interactions are also covered. Throughout the book, graphics and charts are used to provide stimulating discussion on important findings in the field of chikungunyalogy. The chapters are written with a global perspective by experts of CHIKV from around the world. This project is especially significant given that CHIKV is a pathogen of worldwide public health concern. Although the presence of CHIKV infection is not global yet, worldwide dissemination is predicted in the future due largely to the lack of effective treatment/therapy, efficient control of transmission, and knowledge about mechanisms of pathogenesis. Additionally, globalization of CHIKV is predicated on its mode of dissemination (mosquito vector) and cross border travel and migration.

This volume brings together recent developments in quasispecies theory extended to variable environments and practical applications in elucidating viral dynamics and treatment designs. In particular, the existence of an error threshold in rugged fitness landscapes has opened the way to a new antiviral strategy termed lethal mutagenesis, which is now under intensive theoretical, experimental and clinical investigation. As such the book explains how an understanding of quasispecies dynamics within infected organisms has increased our knowledge of viral disease events. From a clinical perspective, population dynamics highlights important problems for viral disease control, such as the selection of drug-resistant mutants that often accompanies treatment failures, and suggests means of increasing the effectiveness of antiviral treatments. The book is intended for students and scientists interested in basic and applied aspects of biophysics, chemistry, biology, evolution and medical virology.

This second edition is a comprehensive study of the viruses that affect the brain and the central nervous system. Along with a focus on the viruses themselves, it addresses the diseases they cause, current treatments and preventive measures. Also discussed are the unique aspects of how viruses cause disease and why certain hosts are more susceptible (e.g., polymorphisms, age, co-morbidities). Because there are 29 cutting edge chapters, written by experts in the fields, Neurotropic Viral Infections has been divided into two separate volumes. Volume 1, Neurotropic RNA Viruses, includes 14 chapters on RNA viruses that cause human disease of the central nervous system ranging from Bornavirus to polio to West Nile. Volume 2, Neurotropic Retroviruses, DNA Viruses, Immunity and Transmission, includes 15 chapters divided into two parts. Part 1 includes 7 chapters on retroviruses and DNA viruses that cause human disease of the central nervous system ranging from HIV to varicella zoster virus. Part 2 includes chapters on transmission of these viruses by transplantation, bites by bats and insects, clinical management of the infections, and beneficial uses of attenuated viruses.Neurotropic Viral Infections is a unique resource, bridging basic, clinical, and translational approaches.​

Striking changes have occurred in the world since the publication of the last edition of Viral Infections of Humans. The global population is rapidly approaching 8 billion; climate change is leading to the introduction of new hosts, vectors and virus diseases heretofore never seen in many parts of the world; technological advances have revolutionized the ability to recognize and characterize viruses new and old; vaccines are altering the epidemiological landscape of the diseases they target, in some cases raising the hope of their eradication and remarkably powerful computational tools are enabling not only detection of outbreaks of disease much sooner than in the past but also, through complex mathematical modeling, more accurate prediction of their potential impact.The new Fifth Edition of Viral Infections of Humans captures the both the excitement and frustration of the dynamic struggle between humankind and the viruses that continue to cause immense suffering. It presents the latest concepts, methods and technologies in epidemiology, detection, investigation, modeling and intervention. Updated and entirely new chapters by dozens of experts across the field provide analytic summaries of current knowledge of viruses and prions causing acute syndromes, chronic illnesses and/or malignancies. In sum, this ambitiously expanded volume offers a uniquely comprehensive perspective on viruses in humans, from agents of classic diseases (e.g., hepatitis, measles, polio, rabies and yellow fever), to those with greatest pandemic impact (e.g., influenza and human immunodeficiency virus), to those discovered relatively recently (e.g., henipavirus, metapneumovirus and norovirus).The new Fifth Edition of Viral Infections of Humans is an invaluable reference for students, fellows and established professionals in the fields of microbiology, public health and infectious disease epidemiology, medicine and health policy.

Over the last several years the field of humanized mice has matured and developed into an essential component of translational research for HIV/AIDS. Humanized mice serve both as vehicles for discovery and as highly sophisticated platforms for biomedical research. In addition, humanized mice have demonstrated outstanding potential for the investigation of critical aspects of the infection and pathogenesis of the hepatitis and herpes viruses, as well as highly relevant microbial infections such as tuberculosis and malaria. Humanized Mice for HIV Research provides a comprehensive presentation of the history, evolution, applications, and current state of the art of this unique animal model. An expansion of twelve review articles that were published in Humanized Mice by Springer in 2008 (Eds: Nomura T, Watanabe T, Habu S), this book expertly captures the outstanding progress that has been made in the development, improvement, implementation, and validation of humanized mouse models. The first two parts of this book cover the basics of human-to-mouse xenotransplantation biology, and provide critical information about human immune cell development and function based on individual models created from different immunodeficient strains of mice. The third and fourth parts investigate HIV-1 biology, including different routes of transmission, prevention, treatment, pathogenesis, and the development of adaptive immunity in humanized mice. The fifth part shows the broad applicability of humanized mice for therapeutic development, from long-acting antiretroviral combinations to genetic manipulations with human cells and cell-based approaches. The sixth part includes liver tissue engineering and the expansion of humanized mice for many other human cell-tropic pathogens.

This two-volume work covers the molecular and cell biology, genetics and evolution of influenza viruses, the pathogenesis of infection, resultant host innate and adaptive immune response, prevention of infection through vaccination and approaches to the therapeutic control of infection.. Experts at the forefront of these areas provide critical assessments with regard to influenza virology, immunology, cell and molecular biology, and pathogenesis. Volume I provides overviews of the latest findings on molecular determinants of viral pathogenicity, virus entry and cell tropism, pandemic risk assessment, transmission and pathogenesis in animal species, viral evolution, ecology and antigenic variation, while Volume II focuses on the role of innate and adaptive immunity in pathogenesis, development of vaccines and antivirals.

From the first detailed clinical description of the disease in the Midwestern United States in 1918, to the isolation of the causative agent, the first of any influenza virus, in 1930 to its role in the genesis of the 2009 human pandemic, swine have played a central role in the ecology of influenza. Although not considered the major natural reservoir for influenza A viruses, swine are host to a limited but dynamic assortment of viruses. A number of subtypes of influenza A viruses of human and avian origin, including H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H7, and H9, have been isolated from global swine populations. Most of these isolations have, however, been limited in number and it is only H1 and H3 influenza viruses that are known to have formed stable lineages in swine. In this respect, swine influenza viruses (SIV) are similar to their counterparts in humans where H1 and H3 viruses have also been maintained. The nature of these H1 and H3 viruses differ between the two host populations, however, and, as discussed throughout this book, are even different in swine populations in different geographic regions of the world due to multiple introductions of avian and human influenza viruses.

Recent research has focused attention on the importance of intrinsic antiviral immunity, i.e. immunity mediated by factors that are constitutively expressed in many cells. In this volume, leading experts provide a comprehensive overview of this relatively new and rapidly evolving field. They cover intrinsic proteinaceous antiviral immune effectors, such as the APOBEC3 and TRIM protein families as well as Tetherin and SAMHD1, which were initially discovered by researchers studying HIV-1. Furthermore, the role of RNA interference in antiviral defense in plants and invertebrates, as well as the interplay between microRNAs and viruses in mammalian cells, are analysed. One chapter discusses how intrinsic immunity and viral countermeasures to intrinsic immune effectors drive both pathogen and host evolution, and finally the emerging evidence that DNA damage response proteins restrict infection by DNA viruses is highlighted.

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is characterized by the destruction of the host immune system as also reflected by a progressive loss of CD4-positive T-cells. This finally results in the host's incapacity to deal with opportunistic infections and the immune surveillance of tumors, a clinical status known as the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The book AIDS Pathogenesis provides the reader with a complete overview of the clinical course of HIV-1 infection. It describes the clinical aspects of primary infection, the different clinical outcomes of HIV-1 infection, and strategies for anti-viral treatment. In addition, more fundamental aspects of HIV-1 infection are reviewed. These include the biology of the virus and the novel insights in AIDS pathogenesis. Not only is the significance of an HIV-specific cellular and humoral immune response discussed, but also the possible incapacity of the adult human host to deal with T-cell destruction. Finally, the book discusses the currently used laboratory markers that allow for monitoring of the clinical course of infection.

​Over the past decade, enormous progress has been made in understanding the late events in the HIV replication cycle. This has been made possible by major advances in cell biology, virology, and structural biology. The field continues to move forward rapidly, with important new discoveries being reported on a regular basis. The impact of this progress across a broad spectrum of biomedical research has been substantial. The increase in basic knowledge in the areas of HIV assembly, release, and maturation has been accompanied by new possibilities for therapeutic intervention.The work includes topics relating to basic molecular biology, cell biology, and structural biology of HIV assembly, coupled with more applied ideas of how this basic information can inform the field of antiretroviral research. The book covers all major topics pertaining to the late stages of HIV replication, with leaders in each area recruited to contribute chapters in their areas of expertise. The topics will be sufficiently focused to allow authors the opportunity to cover the latest developments in detail.​

During the last 5 years, major advances have been made in our understanding of the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and in the development of new potent antiviral agents. With regard to HIV pathogenesis, several recent observations have not only changed our perspectives of HIV disease, but have been critical for the design of therapeutic strategies.

Since the first observations of viral interference with antigen presentation in the MHC class-I pathway, the field has advanced to a detailed analysis. We know numerous genes and for some of them we have profound information on their mechanistic function. The antigen presentation pathway is affected at all stages starting from proteasomal degradation of an antigenic viral protein, as shown for EBV, transfer of the proteasomal cleavage products as peptides in the ER by specific transporters, the loading of the nascent MHC class-I molecule, and finally the transport of the complex to the surface and presentation in a normal or deranged form. All these different steps of the MHC class-I antigen presentation pathway are targets for viral proteins. Not only MHC class-I but also MHC class-II proteins are a target of viral influence either by direct downregulation and degradation of proteins or by interference of signal transduction pathways.

Retroviruses have been of great importance to biomedical science for the past half century. Initially, studies on oncogenic animal retroviruses provided important insights into molecular processes in carcinogenesis – most notably the existence and mechanisms of action of oncogenes and proto-oncogenes. Moreover, several human diseases are caused by retroviruses, including AIDS, adult T-cell leukemia and the neurological disease HAM/TSP. The topic of this volume is a relatively unknown animal retrovirus, jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus, the causative agent of transmissible lung cancer in sheep –ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The disease was first documented in South Africa in the 1800s, it has a wide geographical distribution, and it is of economic importance in high endemic regions. However, until very recently the nature of the etiologic agent was unclear, and relatively few laboratories actively studied the disease.

This book will contain a series of solicited chapters that concern with the molecular machines required by viruses to perform various essential functions of virus life cycle. The first three chapters (Introduction, Molecular Machines and Virus Architecture) introduce the reader to the best known molecular machines and to the structure of viruses. The remainder of the book will examine in detail various stages of the viral life cycle. Beginning with the viral entry into a host cell, the book takes the reader through replication of the genome, synthesis and assembly of viral structural components, genome packaging and maturation into an infectious virion. Each chapter will describe the components of the respective machine in molecular or atomic detail, genetic and biochemical analyses, and mechanism. Topics are carefully selected so that the reader is exposed to systems where there is a substantial infusion of new knowledge in recent years, which greatly elevated the fundamental mechanistic understanding of the respective molecular machine. The authors will be encouraged to simplify the detailed knowledge to basic concepts, include provocative new ideas, as well as design colorful graphics, thus making the cutting-edge information accessible to broad audience.

Technological advances, together with a better understanding of the molecular biology of infectious microorganisms, are creating exciting possibilities for a new generation of replicating vaccines. Historically, live vaccines have been either directly derived from a natural source or attenuated by empirical approaches using serial passages and host cell adaptation. Currently, we are witnessing a quantum leap in our technological capabilities to specifically modify the genetic make-up of viruses and bacteria, making it possible to generate improved live vaccines and to develop completely new types of replicating vaccines, such as vectored vaccines, single-round infectious vaccines and replicon vaccines. This book highlights some of the most exciting recent developments towards a new generation of replicating vaccines.

SARS was the?rst new plague of the twenty-?rst century. Within months, it spread worldwide from its “birthplace” in Guangdong Province, China, affecting over 8,000 people in 25 countries and territories across?ve continents. SARS exposed the vulnerability of our modern globalised world to the spread of a new emerging infection. SARS (or a similar new emerging disease) could neither have spread so rapidly nor had such a great global impact even 50 years ago, and arguably, it was itself a product of our global inter-connectedness. Increasing af?uence and a demand for wild-game as exotic food led to the development of large trade of live animal and game animal markets where many species of wild and domestic animals were co-housed, providing the ideal opportunities for inter-species tra- mission of viruses and other microbes. Once such a virus jumped species and attacked humans, the increased human mobility allowed the virus the opportunity for rapid spread. An infected patient from Guangdong who stayed for one day at a hotel in Hong Kong led to the transmission of the disease to 16 other guests who travelled on to seed outbreaks of the disease in Toronto, Singapore, and Vietnam, as well as within Hong Kong itself. The virus exploited the practices used in modern intensive care of patients with severe respiratory disease and the weakness in infection control practices within our health care systems to cause outbreaks within hospitals, further amplifying the spread of the disease. Health-care itself has become a two-edged sword.

The means by which non-enveloped viruses penetrate cellular membranes during cell entry remain poorly defined. Recent findings indicate several members of this group share a common mechanism of membrane penetration in which the virus particle undergoes programmed conformational changes, leading to capsid disassembly and release of small membrane-interacting peptides. A complete understanding of host cell entry by this minimal system will help elucidate the mechanisms of non-enveloped virus membrane penetration in general

Chemokine Receptors and NeuroAIDS: Beyond the Co-receptor Function and Links to Other Neuropathologies focuses on unresolved or emerging issues concerning the role of chemokine receptors in neuronal injury and HIV neuropathology, including their ability to regulate fundamental neuronal and glial functions and their role in neurovirulence and neurotoxicity. Although the importance of these molecules in the CNS physiology and pathology is now apparent, these issues are still matter of debate, and further research is required to design effective pharmacological agents that specifically target the brain chemokine system without major side effects. To this end, specific topics have been selected and are reviewed by international experts within the basic science/medical community. This book encourages investigation in the most controversial areas and fosters interaction between clinicians and basic scientists. The book also increases awareness about differences in disease progression among different parts of the world as well as selected patient populations, which may also help identifying novel therapeutic strategies.

West Nile virus is a neurotropic flavivirus that has emerged globally as a primary cause of viral encephalitis. Infection of humans and other vertebrate animals is associated with a febrile illness that can progress to a lethal encephalitis or flaccid paralysis syndrome. Its appearance in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 and the corresponding increase in global disease burden over the last decade have been accompanied by intensive study, including the entry of many scientists into the field. Breakthroughs have been made in understanding the unique transmission pattern between the vector and the multiple avian and mammalian hosts and targets. Studies in mammalian systems have dissected the viral and host factors that determine the pathogenesis and outcome of West Nile virus infection. On the basis of these experiments, progress has been made on the identification of genetic factors that predispose to severe human disease. Thus, in a remarkably short period of time, insight has been gained on a wide variety of disciplines related to West Nile virus biology. The aim of this book was to assemble an up-to-date and cutti- edge anthology from the leading experts in the field. The chapters are balanced by submissions from newcomers who have made significant recent contributions with those from established investigators who have dedicated their careers to the study of West Nile virus.

A crucial issue for antiviral therapy is the fact that all antiviral substances rapidly select for resistance; thus, monitoring and overcoming resistance has become a most important clinical paradigm of antiviral therapy. This calls for cautious use of antiviral drugs and implementation of combination therapies. In parallel, efforts in drug discovery have to be continued to develop compounds with novel mode-of-action and activity against resistant strains. This book reviews the current status of antiviral therapy, from the roads to development of new compounds to their clinical use and cost effectiveness. Individual chapters address in more detail all available drug classes and outline new approaches currently under development.

Autophagy is a fundamental biological process that enables cells to autodigest their own cytosol during starvation and other forms of stress. It has a growing spectrum of acknowledged roles in immunity, aging, development, neurodegeneration, and cancer biology. An immunological role of autophagy was first recognized with the discovery of autophagy's ability to sanitize the cellular interior by killing intracellular microbes. Since then, the repertoire of autophagy's roles in immunity has been vastly expanded to include a diverse but interconnected portfolio of regulatory and effector functions. Autophagy is an effector of Th1/Th2 polarization; it fuels MHC II presentation of cytosolic (self and microbial) antigens; it shapes central tolerance; it affects B and T cell homeostasis; it acts both as an effector and a regulator of Toll-like receptor and other innate immunity receptor signaling; and it may help ward off chronic inflammatory disease in humans. With such a multitude of innate and adaptive immunity functions, the study of autophagy in immunity is one of the most rapidly growing fields of contemporary immunological research. This book introduces the reader to the fundamentals of autophagy, guides a novice and the well-informed reader alike through different immunological aspects of autophagy as well as the countermeasures used by highly adapted pathogens to fight autophagy, and provides the expert with the latest, up-to-date information on the specifics of the leading edge of autophagy research in infection and immunity.

Currently, there is no single source that permits comparison of the factors, elements, enzymes and/or mechanisms employed by different classes of viruses for genome replication. As a result, we (and our students) often restrict our focus to our particular system, missing out on the opportunity to define unifying themes in viral genome replication or benefit from the advances in other systems. For example, extraordinary biological and experimental paradigms that have been established over the past five years for the DNA replication systems of bacteriophage T4 and T7 will likely be of great value to anyone interested in studying a replisome from any virus. These studies could easily go unnoticed by animal RNA and DNA virologists. It is our hope that this monograph will cross-fertilize and invigorate the field, as well as encourage students into this area of research.

The study of viruses necessarily involves dissecting the intimate details of cellular pathways. Viruses have often been employed as tools in studying cellular pathways, as was done by early retrovirologists such as Peyton Rous in attempting to understand the mechanism of cellular transformation and oncogenesis. On the other side of the coin, virologists seek to de?ne those cellular elements interacting intimatelywiththeir virus ofinterestinorder to better understand viral replication itself, and in some cases to develop antiviral strategies. It is in the intersection of virology and cell biology that many of us?nd the most rewarding aspects of our research. When a new discovery yields insights into basic cellular mechanisms and presents new targets for int- vention to?ght a serious pathogen, the impact can be high and the excitement intense. HIV has been no exception to the rule that viruses reveal many basic aspects of cellular biology. In recent years, in part because of the importance of HIV as a major cause of human suffering, numerous cellular processes have been elucidated through work on processes or proteins of this human retrovirus. The excitement in this?eld is especially well illustrated by the discovery of new innate means of resisting viral replication, such as the work on APOBEC3G, TRIM5a, and BST-2/ tetherin presented in this volume.

Wildlife and the zoonotic pathogens they reservoir are the source of most emerging infectious diseases of humans. AIDS, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, SARS, Monkeypox and the human ehrlichioses are a few examples of the devastating effect achieved by cross-species transmission of viral and bacterial pathogens of wildlife. Many factors contribute to the appearance and spread of a pathogen, including; changes in host/pathogen evolution and interaction, human demographics, behavior and technology, environmental factors, and the availability of health care and a public health infrastructure capable of providing surveillance and interventions aimed at disease prevention and control. Additionally, historical factors and the coalescence of particular circumstances modify the conditions by which pathogens and species have an opportunity to intermix, evolve and spread. This volume provides an overview of zoonotic pathogen emergence with an emphasis on the role of wildlife. The firstsections of the book explore the mechanisms by which evolution, biology, pathology, ecology, history, and current context have driven the emergence of different zoonotic agents, the next sections provide specific example of disease emergence linked to wildlife, and the final section offers an overview of current methods directed at the surveillance, prevention and control of zoonotic pathogens at the level of the wildlife host and possible mechanisms to improve these activities. This book will be useful to microbiologists, ecologists, zoologists, entomologists as well as physicians and epidemiologists.