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The explosion of new information on Helicobacter pylori-related disease, both in the basic sciences and in clinical medicine, has continued to progress at an unprecedented pace. In many instances H. pylori infection, both in man and in the laboratory animal, has become a model to investigate fundamental biological issues such as micro-organism-host interactions, intracellular signalling, development of mucosal atrophy, mechanism of microbial resistance, disease modifying factors etc. In view of this bewildering flood of new information, the time was considered right to organize yet another update on H. pylori in the successful series'Basic mechanisms to clinical cure'to define the'state-of-affairs'in H. pylori research at this time. Our main objective was to integrate this new information in a series of top-quality presentations and discussions between investigators and clinicians, addressing all aspects of H. pylori research, and to review the current position and future research direc­ tions. The format included state-of-the-art presentations by world experts heavily involved in H. pylori research, followed by in-depth discussion on intriguing or controversial issues. The topics discussed were grouped according to the leading theme: characteristics of the organism, mode of transmission, mechanisms of H. pylori-induced inflammation, causation of disturbances of gastric secretory and motor function, aspects of clinical presentation and management, problems related to H. pylori-associated gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT-lymphoma, novel aspects of antimicrobial therapy, and vaccination. The meeting concluded with a synoptic agenda of suggested future studies for the microbiologist, the histopathologist and the clinician.

Heat shock proteins (HSP) have received ample interest by immunologists over recent years. Initially they were found to be dominantly immunogenic microbial antigens. The connection with inflammation was established when it was uncovered that T cells specific for these antigens have a crucial role in the induction and regulation of experimental arthritis. Since then, the raised presence of immunity to HSPs in virtually all conditions of inflammation, including autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and atherosclerosis, has emphasised the critical significance of immunity to HSPs in inflammatory diseases.

The discovery and concept that Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastric disease including gastric cancer which is one of the most common and frequently lethal forms of malignancy, heralded a new and rapidly expanding field recognizing the emergence of many new pathogens and disease syndromes in clinical medicine, as well as basic infectious disease research. There is now an extensive and widely known literature of how H. pylori is involved in a wide variety of disease syn­ dromes. As summarized in the introductory chapter of this volume, many major advances have been made in diagnosis, both serologic and endoscopic in time of the involvement of this organism in patients with upper GI ailments as well as its presence in those who are not clinically ill. The Introduction describes the rapid development of understanding the role of this organism in disease. The basic bacteriology of H. pylori is then described in the second chapter. Diagnostic tests for detecting H. pylori infection is then highlighted, as well as the role of such infection in gastric cancer. Current knowledge concerning risk factors and peptic ulcer pathology associated with H. pylori is then described. Newer information concerning therapy of H. pylori infection and colonization is described in a subsequent chapter as well as one concerning the effects of anti­ biotics on H. pylori infection. The extensive literature on natural substances with anti-H.

Developments such as the increasing globalisation of the food industry, new technologies and products, and changes in the susceptibility of populations to disease, have all highlighted the problem of emerging pathogens. Pathogens may be defined as emerging in a number of ways. They can be newly-discovered, linked for the first time to disease in humans or to a particular food. A pathogen may also be defined as emerging when significant new strains emerge from an existing pathogen, or if the incidence of a pathogen increases dramatically. This important book discusses some of the major emerging pathogens and how they can be identified, tracked and controlled so that they do not pose a risk to consumers.After an introductory chapter, Emerging foodborne pathogens is split into two parts. The first part deals with how pathogens evolve, surveillance methods in the USA and Europe, risk assessment techniques and the use of food safety objectives. The second part of the book looks at individual pathogens, their characteristics, methods of detection and methods of control. These include: Arcobacter; Campylobacter; Trematodes and helminths; emerging strains of E. coli; Hepatitis viruses; Prion diseases; Vibrios; Yersinia; Listeria; Helicobacter pylori; Enterobacteriaceae; Campylobacter; Mycobacterium paratuberculosis; and enterocci.Emerging foodborne pathogens is a standard reference for microbiologists and QA staff in the food industry, and food safety scientists working in governments and the research community. - Discusses identification issues - Looks at surveillance methods and the tracking of viruses - Looks at individual pathogens in detail