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Microbes may become pathogenic and mankind develops antimicrobials and vaccines to fight with them, which may lead to an arms race as pathogens develop drug resistance and humans invent newer drugs, often ending up with uncontrollable infections. This book narrates the author's journey pursuing the origin of pathogenic bacterial species, demonstrating through experiments that bacteria form new species by acquiring novel genes from surroundings and altering the genome for better fitness. If the newly acquired genes encode pathogenic traits, the originally benign bacteria may become new pathogens. To control pathogens, antimicrobials and vaccines are useful in many cases, but, in addition, book proposes a third strategy through the concept of herd resistance via enhancing the protective functions of intestinal microbiota, which will not trigger an arms race nor interfere with immune functions. This strategy can be generalized to a broad range of bacterial or viral pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2.

This highly anticipated update of the acclaimed textbook draws on the latest research to give students the knowledge and tools to explore the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause infections in humans and animals. Written in an approachable and engaging style, the book uses illustrative examples and thought-provoking exercises to inspire students with the potential excitement and fun of scientific discovery. Completely revised and updated, and for the first time in stunning full-color, Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach, Fourth Edition, builds on the core principles and foundations of its predecessors while expanding into new concepts, key findings, and cutting-edge research, including new developments in the areas of the microbiome and CRISPR as well as the growing challenges of antimicrobial resistance. All-new detailed illustrations help students clearly understand important concepts and mechanisms of the complex interplay between bacterial pathogens and their hosts. Study questions at the end of each chapter challenge students to delve more deeply into the topics covered, and hone their skills in reading, interpreting, and analyzing data, as well as devising their own experiments. A detailed glossary defines and expands on key terms highlighted throughout the book. Written for advanced undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in microbiology, bacteriology, and pathogenesis, this text is a must-have for anyone looking for a greater understanding of virulence mechanisms across the breadth of bacterial pathogens.

Pocket Guide to Bacterial Infections provides information pertinent to the behaviour of bacterial cells during their interactions with different cell types of multiple host systems. This book will present the role of various bacterial pathogens affecting the host system. The book is to be organized flexibly so that chapters and topics are arranged with continuity from the former chapters. Each chapter has been made as self-contained as possible to promote this flexibility. This book will discuss each of the virulence properties of the bacteria with reference to their interacting hosts in a larger perspective.Kwey selling features:Summarizes the role various bacterial pahtogens affect the host systemReviews recent advances for combating different types of bacterial infections that infect different body partsDesigned as an effective teaching and research tool providing up to date information on bacterial infectionsDefines important termsWritten in a readable and direct writing style

One of the greatest public health achievements during the twentieth century was the dramatic reduction in the incidence of infectious diseases due to the development of improved hygiene, vaccines and antimicrobial agents. However, new infectious diseases are emerging and bacteria-induced illnesses, such as tuberculosis, whooping cough and typhoid fever, are still a major cause of global mortality. In recent decades the development of molecular biology and genetic tools has led to extensive studies on the molecular and cellular aspects of the virulence properties of pathogenic bacteria. In this book, a group of distinguished scientists from eight different countries and three continents, under the expert guidance of the editors Camille Locht and Michel Simonet, overview the molecular and cellular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. The fifteen chapters are organized into five sections: approaches to the study of bacterial pathogenesis; bacterial adhesion to the cell surface and extracellular matrix of host tissues; poisoning the host by toxins; cellular invasion by bacterial pathogens; and bacterial evasion of host defences. The authors comprehensively describe the most relevant and up-to-date information on pathogenic features across the bacterial world. Aimed at the entire scientific community from students to senior scientists and physicians, the book is relevant to a broad range of people interested in the mechanisms of bacterial infectious diseases and is a recommended text for all microbiology laboratories.

The reviews in this volume deal with questions of the mechanisms of pathogenesis and with organisms that have only recently been extensively studied on the molecular level.••The introductory section presents an overview of pathogenesis, emphasizing common elements and genetic mechanisms of regulation and a review on the population genetics of bacterial pathogenesis. The second section deals with the regulation of synthesis of surface components and their role in the colonization of the host and/or of the host immune systems. The third section covers the invasion and intracellular growth of facultative and obligate intracellular parasites. The last section is devoted to studies of the role of bacterial toxic products in pathogenesis.

Discover the strategies bacterial pathogens use to survive and multiply. This textbook focuses on core principles based on the growing understanding of the underlying similarities among pathogens and their mechanisms of action, and is a recommended text for one-semester microbiology courses.

Approximately 60% of all hospital-associated infections, over one million cases per year, are due to biofilms that have formed on indwelling medical devices. Device-related biofilm infections increase hospital stays and add over one billion dollars/year to U.S. hospitalization costs. Since the use and the types of indwelling medical devices commonly used in modern healthcare are continuously expanding, especially with an aging population, the incidence of biofilm infections will also continue to rise. The central problem with microbial biofilm infections of foreign bodies is their propensity to resist clearance by the host immune system and all antimicrobial agents tested to date. In fact, compared to their free floating, planktonic counterparts, microbes within a biofilm are 50 – 500 times more resistant to antimicrobial agents. Therefore, achieving therapeutic and non-lethal dosing regimens within the human host is impossible. The end result is a conversion from an acute infection to one that is persistent, chronic, and recurrent, most often requiring device removal in order to eliminate the infection. This text will describe the major types of device-related infections, and will explain the host, pathogen, and the unique properties of their interactions in order to gain a better understanding of these recalcitrant infections.

Horizontal gene transfer is a major driving force in the evolution of many bacterial pathogens. The development of high-throughput sequencing tools and more sophisticated genomic and proteomic techniques in recent years has resulted in a better understanding of this phenomenon. Written by leading experts in the field, this edited volume is aimed at graduate students and researchers and provides an overview of current knowledge relating to the evolution of microbial pathogenicity. This volume provides an overview of the mechanisms and biological consequences of the genome rearrangements resulting from horizontal gene transfer, in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, as well as overviews of the key mobile genetic elements involved. Subsequent chapters focus on paradigms for the evolution of important bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella enterica, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The influence of socioeconomic parameters in the dissemination of transferable elements, such as antibiotic resistant genes in bacteria, is also discussed.

Established almost 30 years ago, Methods in Microbiology is the most prestigious series devoted to techniques and methodology in the field. Now totally revamped, revitalized, with a new format and expanded scope, Methods in Microbiology will continue to provide you with tried and tested, cutting-edge protocols to directly benefit your research. - Focuses on the methods most useful for the microbiologist interested in the way in which bacteria cause disease - Includes section devoted to'Approaches to characterising pathogenic mechanisms'by Stanley Falkow - Covers safety aspects, detection, identification and speciation - Includes techniques for the study of host interactions and reactions in animals and plants - Describes biochemical and molecular genetic approaches - Essential methods for gene expression and analysis - Covers strategies and problems for disease control

Molecular Basis of Bacterial Pathogenesis.