Viruses, Bacteria and Fungi in the Built Environment


Book Description

Viruses, Bacteria and Fungi in the Built Environment: Designing Healthy Indoor Environments opens with a brief introduction to viruses, bacteria and fungi in the built environment and discusses their impact on human health. Sections discuss the microbiology of building materials, the airborne transmission of viruses and bacteria in the built environment, and plumbing-associated microbiome. As the first book on this important area to be written in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this work will be a valuable reference resource for researchers, civil engineers, architects, postgraduate students, contractors and other professionals working and interested in the field of the built environment. Elements of building design, including choice of materials, ventilation and plumbing can have important implications for the microbiology of a building, and consequently, the health of the building's occupants. This important new reference work explains the microbiology of buildings and disease control in the built environment to those who design and implement new construction and renovate. - Provides an essential guide on the microbiology of buildings, covering bacteria, fungi and viruses on surfaces, in air and in water - Comprehensively examines how humidity influences fungal growth in several building materials - Includes important information about the airborne transmission of infectious agents - Addresses ventilation design to improve human health - Presents the first book on disease control in buildings since the COVID-19 pandemic




Applied Plant Virology


Book Description

Applied Plant Virology: Advances, Detection, and Antiviral Strategies provides an overview on recent developments and applications in the field of plant virology. The book begins with an introduction to important advances in plant virology, but then covers topics including techniques for assay detection and the diagnosis of plant viruses, the purification, isolation and characterization of plant viruses, the architecture of plant viruses, the replication of plant viruses, the physiology of virus-infected hosts, vectors of plant viruses, and the nomenclature and classification of plants. The book also discusses defense strategies by utilizing antiviral agents and management strategies of virus and viroid diseases. With contributions from an international collection of experts, this book presents a practical resource for plant virologists, plant pathologists, horticulturalists, agronomists, biotechnologists, academics and researchers interested in up-to-date technologies and information that advance the field of plant virology. - Covers the detection, control and management of plant viruses - Discusses antiviral strategies, along with mechanisms of systemic induced resistance to enhance the defense of plants against viruses - Provides contributory chapters from expert plant virologists from different parts of the world




Mycoviruses


Book Description

A virus (from the Latin word ‘vīrus’ meaning ‘venom’ or ‘poison’) is a microorganism invisible to the naked eye. Viruses can multiply exclusively by entering a cell and using the cell’s resources to create copies of themselves. As the origin of their name suggests, viruses are generally considered dangerous, harmful and often deadly. Some of the most well-studied and widely known viruses, such as HIV and influenza, infect humans. However, viruses can also infect animals, plants and microorganisms, including fungi. Many fungi are medically, ecologically and economically significant, for example, causing diseases to humans, plants and insects or being used in industry to produce bread, cheese, beer and wine. Viruses that infect fungi are called mycoviruses (from the Greek work ‘myco’, meaning ‘fungus’). Mycoviruses do not cause harm to or kill the infected fungus; in contrast, they are ‘friendly’ viruses and we can utilize them to control the growth, pathogenicity and toxin production of fungi. This book describes a range of different mycoviruses and their geographical distribution, transmission and evolution, together with their effects on the fungal hosts and how these are brought about.]







Fungal Diseases


Book Description

Fungal diseases have contributed to death and disability in humans, triggered global wildlife extinctions and population declines, devastated agricultural crops, and altered forest ecosystem dynamics. Despite the extensive influence of fungi on health and economic well-being, the threats posed by emerging fungal pathogens to life on Earth are often underappreciated and poorly understood. On December 14 and 15, 2010, the IOM's Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop to explore the scientific and policy dimensions associated with the causes and consequences of emerging fungal diseases.




Fungal Pathogenesis


Book Description

Stresses molecular and biochemical studies of opportunistic and frank fungal pathogens! This book gives a comprehensive overview of human pathogenic fungi that offers a current and concise survey of virulence factors, host responses and recognition, treatment and diagnosis of infections, invasive enzymes, intracellular survival, morphogenesis, adaptation, and properties of major fungal pathogens that contribute to disease. Focuses on human fungal infections, including candidiasis, pneumocystosis, aspergillosis, and cryptococcosis. With over 3700 references to accommodate continuing study, Fungal Pathogenesis covers natural and acquired immunity, vaccine development, and immune reconstitution outlines rapid identification of major mycoses utilizing antigen capture and molecular assays details signaling and phenotypic switching discusses the value of genomics in validation highlights state-of-the-art molecular methodologies to study disease-causing organisms describes available and potential antifungal drug targets and drug development considers predicting the consequences of drug resistance on patient management presents topical observations on strain typing and variation and more! Containing research into the virulence, immunity, diagnosis, and therapy of most common fungal infections, Fungal Pathogenesis is an unparalleled reference for microbiologists, virologists, pathologists and phytopathologists, infectious disease specialists, molecular and cell biologists, biochemists, immunologists, medical mycologists, biotechnologists, and geneticists, and an exceptional text for upper-level undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students in these disciplines.




Encyclopedia of Virology


Book Description

Covers biological, molecular, and medical topics concerning viruses in animals, plants, bacteria and insects ... this new ed. has been extensively revised and updated to reflect the 50 % increase in identified and accepted viruses since 2000. Includes information on avian flu, SARS and West Nile and the ability of some viruses to be used as agents of bioterrorism.







Damp Indoor Spaces and Health


Book Description

Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point. Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributes to several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and other microbial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture may initiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers recommendations for public health interventions. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The book not only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environments and adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and where buildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemical emissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements of a public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be of interest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, and building professionals, government officials, and members of the public.




Desk Encyclopedia of Plant and Fungal Virology


Book Description

This volume consists of 85 chapters that highlight recent advances in our knowledge of the viruses that infect plants and fungi. It begins with general topics in plant virology including movement of viruses in plants, the transmission of plant viruses by vectors, and the development of virus-resistant transgenic plants. The second section presents an overview of the properties of a selection of 20 well-studied plant viruses, 23 plant virus genera and a few larger groups of plant viruses. The third section, which is abundantly illustrated, highlights the most economically important virus diseases of cereals, legumes, vegetable crops, fruit trees and ornamentals. The last section describes the major groups of viruses that infect fungi. - The most comprehensive single-volume source providing an overview of virology issues related to plant and fungi - Bridges the gap between basic undergraduate texts and specialized reviews - Concise and general overviews of important topics within the field will help in preparation of lectures, writing reports, or drafting grant applications