ASM Press
Chemical communication among bacteria.
Research in the past decade or so has shown that most groups of bacteria send and receive chemical signals from other bacteria that affect such activities as bioluminescence, biofilm formation, horizontal DNA transfer and even pathogenesis. This collection of thirty papers, which includes reports on potential topics of further research, covers projects on cell-to-cell signaling during development and DNA exchange (including new insights into pheromone control and response), cell-to-cell signaling in mutualistic and pathogenic associations with animals (including humans) and plants, the production and detection as well as the queuing of chemical signals (including a new look at secondary metabolites), and eukaryotic quorum sensing and interactions with quorum-sensing bacteria (including rotifers and fungi). Papers include comprehensive references. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Food-borne viruses; progress and challenges.
Virologists mostly from Europe but also India and the US review the current understanding of viruses in food products, illnesses they can cause, and how to combat both. Among their topics are enterically transmitted hepatitis, viral evolution and its relevance for food-borne virus epidemiology, and using the codex risk analysis framework to reduce risks associated with viruses in food. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
High-pressure microbiology.
The effect of pressure on biological entities is obvious: living things don't last long when compressed. These eighteen articles, edited by Michiels (Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven), Bartlett (Scripps Institute of Oceanography) and Aertsen (Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven) detail how minute life forms react to pressure. Several articles address microbes that have evolved ways of surviving at the bottom of the sea. Others comment on how pressure can be used to stop the growth of bacteria and viruses and the problems inherent in doing so. This is a highly technical study, aimed at professional microbiologists. However the conclusions are of interest to those in the food industry, especially packaging. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Infections in solid-organ transplant recipients.
Virologists and immunologists mostly from Temple University in Philadelphia review the current understanding of infection made possible, or worse, by immuno-suppressive agents required after organ transplantation. They detail bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections in liver, kidney, kidney-pancreas, heart, lung, and intestine transplant recipients. The Cumitechs series presents consensus recommendations on using clinical microbiology and immunological laboratories and their role in patient care. There is no index. Drilled for a three-ring binder. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The mycobacterial cell envelope.
This volume looks at the architecture of the mycobacterial cell envelope in detail, for those working in biochemistry, genetics, genomics, and immunology. The 22 chapters compiled by Daffé (molecular mechanisms of mycobacterial infections, Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, and Université Paul Sabatier, France) and Reyrat (medicine, Université Paris Descartes, France) cover common and specific features, and are written by an international group of contributors working in biology, infectious diseases, biosciences, microbiology and immunology, and other fields. Initial chapters discuss shared elements of all mycobacterial cell envelopes, their chemical nature, transport functions, vulnerabilities, structure, cording, surface biology, impact on the host immune system, and process of biosynthesis, among others. Individual envelopes are then examined, with much attention to the mycobacteria tuberculosis, and features of protein adhesion, antigens for diagnostics and vaccine development, growth, pathogenesis, cell wall metabolism, and sulfolipids. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Pneumococcal vaccines; the impact of conjugate vaccine.
This book summarizes the current state of the art in pneumococcal vaccines, with particular emphasis on the years after introduction of the conjugate vaccine seven years ago. After a history of pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal immunization, sections cover the biological basis of the disease and the vaccine, clinical disease and epidemiology, manufacturing and product release issues, immunogenicity, efficacy and safety, public health impact, and future directions. Some specific topics examined include the impact of conjugate pneumococcal vaccine on antibiotic resistance, licensing of pneumococcal vaccines for children and adults, and functional assays for pneumococcal antibody. The readership for the book includes professionals in academia, public health, government, and industry. Siber is retired from Wyeth Vaccines Research. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Sampling for biological agents in the environment.
This sets the standards for sampling in the case of biological attack, giving first responders, scientists, industry representatives and others working in the treatment of hazardous materials the procedures they need for effective and efficient methods. It also gives governmental agencies standards to follow when responding to incidents caused by weapons of mass destruction. The ten extended articles cover lessons learned from mistakes in real-world incidents, the process of planning the sampling mission and setting up sampling teams, the role of sampling in the typical phases of a biological event in an airport scenario, surface sampling, indoor and outdoor air sampling, labeling and documentation at a crime scene, packaging and transport of samples, laboratory resources, and advances since the 2001 anthrax attacks. Includes illustrations and checklists. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
