Molecular Detection of Human Bacterial Pathogens


Book Description

As more original molecular protocols and subsequent modifications are described in the literature, it has become difficult for those not directly involved in the development of these protocols to know which are most appropriate to adopt for accurate identification of bacterial pathogens. Molecular Detection of Human Bacterial Pathogens addresses th




Microbial Threats to Health


Book Description

Infectious diseases are a global hazard that puts every nation and every person at risk. The recent SARS outbreak is a prime example. Knowing neither geographic nor political borders, often arriving silently and lethally, microbial pathogens constitute a grave threat to the health of humans. Indeed, a majority of countries recently identified the spread of infectious disease as the greatest global problem they confront. Throughout history, humans have struggled to control both the causes and consequences of infectious diseases and we will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Following up on a high-profile 1992 report from the Institute of Medicine, Microbial Threats to Health examines the current state of knowledge and policy pertaining to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases from around the globe. It examines the spectrum of microbial threats, factors in disease emergence, and the ultimate capacity of the United States to meet the challenges posed by microbial threats to human health. From the impact of war or technology on disease emergence to the development of enhanced disease surveillance and vaccine strategies, Microbial Threats to Health contains valuable information for researchers, students, health care providers, policymakers, public health officials. and the interested public.




Molecular Detection of Human Fungal Pathogens


Book Description

The large number of molecular protocols available creates a dilemma for those attempting to adopt the most appropriate for streamlined identification and detection of fungal pathogens of interest. Molecular Detection of Human Fungal Pathogens provides a reliable and comprehensive resource relating the molecular detection and identification of major







Molecular Detection of Human Parasitic Pathogens


Book Description

Traditionally, laboratory identification of parasites has relied upon various phenotypic procedures that detect their morphological, biological, and immunological features. Because these procedures tend to be time-consuming and technically demanding, molecular methods based on nucleic acid amplification technologies have been increasingly utilized for rapid, sensitive, and specific characterization of parasites. The large number of original and modified molecular protocols that have been developed over the years creates a dilemma for those attempting to adopt the most appropriate protocol for streamlined identification and detection of human pathogenic organisms of interest. Part of a four-volume collection, Molecular Detection of Human Parasitic Pathogens provides a reliable and comprehensive resource on the molecular detection and identification of major human parasitic pathogens. This volume contains expert contributions from international scientists involved in human parasitic pathogen research and diagnosis. Following a similar format throughout, each chapter includes: A brief review on the classification, biology, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of an important pathogenic parasitic genus/group An outline of clinical sample collection and preparation procedures and a selection of representative stepwise molecular protocols A discussion on further research needs relating to improved diagnoses of major human parasitic pathogens This versatile reference on molecular detection and identification of major human parasitic pathogens is an indispensable tool for upcoming and experienced medical, veterinary, and industrial laboratory scientists engaged in parasite characterization. It is also suitable as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in parasitology.




DNA Fingerprinting: Advancements and Future Endeavors


Book Description

This book describes the basics and various applications of DNA fingerprinting, including in actual case studies. The book is divided in four modules; Module 1: Basics of DNA Fingerprinting, Module 2: Applications of DNA Fingerprinting, Module 3: DNA Fingerprinting: Case Studies, and Module 4: Future of DNA Fingerprinting. Each module consists of 4 to 5 chapters, written by reputed researchers, academics and forensic scientists from around the globe. The respective chapters cover e.g. related fields, the tools and techniques used, various genotyping kits, real-world case studies, ancient DNA and wild life forensics, molecular diagnosis of human diseases, legal aspects, microbial forensics and the economics of the DNA fingerprinting technique. The book offers a practical guide for professionals, graduate and post-graduate students in the fields of Forensic Science, Medicine, Genetics, Anthropology, Microbiology, and Zoology. It also serves as a useful reference resource, summarizing major technological advances in the field of DNA fingerprinting, the problems faced in this field of science and possible new solutions to these problems. Presently, DNA fingerprinting is utilized in solving the majority of criminal cases; as such, the book is also helpful for investigating agencies, as it includes representative case studies.




Molecular Typing in Bacterial Infections


Book Description

Molecular Typing in Bacterial Infections covers common bacterial pathogenic agents, with the most effective methods for their identification and classification in the light of their specific epidemiology. The book will be a valuable resource for molecular typing of infectious diseases agents encountered in both the research and hospital clinical lab settings, as well as culture collections. Each chapter provides an overview of molecular approaches to typing bacterial pathogens. Part I gives a general overview of typing methods used in the traditional microbiology laboratory in comparison to molecular methods of epidemiology. In Part II, the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different methods applicable to the specific agents of infectious diseases are emphasized. Specific emphasis is placed on recent changes and updates in molecular typing.




Principles of Bacterial Detection: Biosensors, Recognition Receptors and Microsystems


Book Description

Principles of Bacterial Detection: Biosensors, Recognition Receptors and Microsystems will cover the up-to-date biosensor technologies used for the detection of bacteria. Written by the world's most renowned and learned scientists each in their own area of expertise, Principles of Bacterial Detection: Biosensors, Recognition Receptors and Microsystems is the first title to cover this expanding research field.




The Prokaryotes


Book Description

The Prokaryotes is a comprehensive, multi-authored, peer reviewed reference work on Bacteria and Achaea. This fourth edition of The Prokaryotes is organized to cover all taxonomic diversity, using the family level to delineate chapters. Different from other resources, this new Springer product includes not only taxonomy, but also prokaryotic biology and technology of taxa in a broad context. Technological aspects highlight the usefulness of prokaryotes in processes and products, including biocontrol agents and as genetics tools. The content of the expanded fourth edition is divided into two parts: Part 1 contains review chapters dealing with the most important general concepts in molecular, applied and general prokaryote biology; Part 2 describes the known properties of specific taxonomic groups. Two completely new sections have been added to Part 1: bacterial communities and human bacteriology. The bacterial communities section reflects the growing realization that studies on pure cultures of bacteria have led to an incomplete picture of the microbial world for two fundamental reasons: the vast majority of bacteria in soil, water and associated with biological tissues are currently not culturable, and that an understanding of microbial ecology requires knowledge on how different bacterial species interact with each other in their natural environment. The new section on human microbiology deals with bacteria associated with healthy humans and bacterial pathogenesis. Each of the major human diseases caused by bacteria is reviewed, from identifying the pathogens by classical clinical and non-culturing techniques to the biochemical mechanisms of the disease process. The 4th edition of The Prokaryotes is the most complete resource on the biology of prokaryotes. The following volumes are published consecutively within the 4th Edition: Prokaryotic Biology and Symbiotic Associations Prokaryotic Communities and Ecophysiology Prokaryotic Physiology and Biochemistry Applied Bacteriology and Biotechnology Human Microbiology Actinobacteria Firmicutes Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria Gammaproteobacteria Deltaproteobacteria and Epsilonproteobacteria Other Major Lineages of Bacteria and the Archaea




Indicators for Waterborne Pathogens


Book Description

Recent and forecasted advances in microbiology, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry have made it timely to reassess the current paradigm of relying predominantly or exclusively on traditional bacterial indicators for all types of waterborne pathogens. Nonetheless, indicator approaches will still be required for the foreseeable future because it is not practical or feasible to monitor for the complete spectrum of microorganisms that may occur in water, and many known pathogens are difficult to detect directly and reliably in water samples. This comprehensive report recommends the development and use of a "tool box" approach by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and others for assessing microbial water quality in which available indicator organisms (and/or pathogens in some cases) and detection method(s) are matched to the requirements of a particular application. The report further recommends the use of a phased, three-level monitoring framework to support the selection of indicators and indicator approaches.Â