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Author:   Bill Firshein (Emeritus Professor of Biology, Emeritus Professor of Biology, Wesleyan University)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 23.90cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 16.30cm
Weight:   0.431kg
ISBN:  

9780199329618

ISBN 10:   0199329613
Pages:   176
Publication Date:   27 February 2014
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

PREFACE CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE INFECTIOUS MICROBE A. The Scope of Microbial Life and Infectious Diseases B. What Is a Pathogen? C. The Relationship Between a Pathogen and the Host It Infects Is Complex and Varied D. Susceptibility and Virulence Factors Are Closely Related E. Major Groups of Pathogens Are Found Throughout the Microbial World CHAPTER II. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY HELP UNDERSTAND PATHOGENICITY A. Genetics: The Nature of the Gene and Its Chemical Structure (DNA) B. Metabolism Consists of Chemical Reactions Without Which Life Would Not Exist C. Biological Catalysts (Enzymes) Mediate Every Chemical Reaction in the Cell D. Genes Control the Synthesis and Expression of Enzymes (Which Are Proteins) and Hence Control the Functioning of the Cell E. The Mechanism of Protein Synthesis Involves a Complex Series of Metabolic Reactions and Cellular Organelles Starting with DNA, a Related Macromolecule, RNA, and the Ribosome (the Protein Synthesizing Factory) F. Gene Expression is Tightly Regulated to Economize and Preserve Cell Integrity G. Genetic Modifications in the Process of Gene Expression in Microbes Are Varied and Complex. They Include Mutations, Transfer Transformation (Recombination) of Genes From One Cell to Another, and Many Other Variations of These Events H. Modern Technologies CHAPTER III. HISTORY OF MICROBIOLOGY A. Voices in the Wilderness B. The Golden Age and Modern Era CHAPTER IV. EMERGING AND REEMERGING DISEASES A. Introduction B. Definitions C. Examples of Each D. Role of Antibiotics CHAPTER V. CASE HISTORIES A. Introduction: Why Are the Following Examples Chosen? B. HIV-AIDS - The Plague That Threatens Modern Society 1) Origins 2) Characteristics 3) Versatility 4) Structure of Genome 5) Treatment 6) Course of Infection 7) Conclusions C. Tuberculosis - The White Plague, Ancient, But Still Lethal 1) Introduction 2) Description 3) Pathogenicity 4) Testing and Virulence Factors 5) Treatment D. Streptococci and Staphylococci: More Intimacy Than We Desire 1) Introduction 2) General Descriptions 3) Staphylococci 4) Toxins 5) Staph Diseases 6) Treatment 7) Streptococci 8) Toxins 9) Other Streptococci E. Ulcers and Helicobacter - The Uncommon Pathogen 1) Introduction 2) The Organism 3) The Disease 4) Pathogenicity 5) Toxins 6) Treatment F. Cholera - A Pretty Nasty Beast 1) Introduction 2) The Organism 3) Pathogencity 4) Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Cholera 5) The Agony of Haiti 6) Conclusions G. Influenza - Bird Flu, Swine Flu and All That Jazz 1) Introduction 2) The Virus and Pathogenicity 3) Spread, Prevention and Treatment 4) Conclusion CHAPTER VI. BIOFILMS: CITY OF MICROBES AND THEIR ROLE IN PATHOGENCITY A. Introduction B. Biofilms and Infectious Diseases CHAPTER VII. BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM - MYTHS AND REALITIES A. Introduction B. Historical Perspective C. Bioterrorism Today: State of the Art and Preparedness D. Conclusions GLOSSARY A. Scientists B. Definitions PHOTO CREDITS

Reviews

In this little treasure, Professor Firshein has used his 50-year career as a teacher of science and non-science students alike to distill this timely subject down to its essence. Utilizing an infectious journalistic style throughout, Firshein alternates between basic and applied coverage of this topic with effective case studies to fortify his message and grip on the reader. The result is a timely and compelling book that can be read by all, which should impact the next generation of citizens charged with understanding the nature of the infectious disease and crafting a sensible and strategic health care policy for our 21st-century world. -- Donald Oliver, Daniel Ayres Professor of Biology, Wesleyan University The Infectious Microbe by Bill Firshein cogently presents the background and challenge of minute organisms that have both detrimental and beneficial effects in nature. Experts and newcomers to this fascinating field of visually undetectable organisms will understand the conflict between microbes and their hosts. They will gain great insight into life in a micro-universe and enjoy the drama that unfolds as viruses and bacteria emerge, some very recently, and play roles in the ultimate survival of species on earth. -- Jay Levy, Professor of Medicine, University of California, SanFrancisco This is an engaging journey into the world of pathogens. The microbial world is unimaginably huge, universally prevalent and diverse. Dr. Firshein provides the reader of this fascinating book with a practical level of understanding of this world, presented in a most comfortable conversational style. It is a must-read for everyone at all concerned with their personal, family and community health and with national and global health policies, or who has simply wondered about the nature of the infectious diseases to which we are all susceptible. -- Thomas Broker, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham

In this little treasure, Professor Firshein has used his 50-year career as a teacher of science and non-science students alike to distill this timely subject down to its essence. Utilizing an infectious journalistic style throughout, Firshein alternates between basic and applied coverage of this topic with effective case studies to fortify his message and grip on the reader. The result is a timely and compelling book that can be read by all, which should impact the next generation of citizens charged with understanding the nature of the infectious disease and crafting a sensible and strategic health care policy for our 21st-century world. -- Donald Oliver, Daniel Ayres Professor of Biology, Wesleyan University The Infectious Microbe by Bill Firshein cogently presents the background and challenge of minute organisms that have both detrimental and beneficial effects in nature. Experts and newcomers to this fascinating field of visually undetectable organisms will understand the conflict between microbes and their hosts. They will gain great insight into life in a micro-universe and enjoy the drama that unfolds as viruses and bacteria emerge, some very recently, and play roles in the ultimate survival of species on earth. -- Jay Levy, Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco This is an engaging journey into the world of pathogens. The microbial world is unimaginably huge, universally prevalent and diverse. Dr. Firshein provides the reader of this fascinating book with a practical level of understanding of this world, presented in a most comfortable conversational style. It is a must-read for everyone at all concerned with their personal, family and community health and with national and global health policies, or who has simply wondered about the nature of the infectious diseases to which we are all susceptible. -- Thomas Broker, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Author Information

William Firshein is the Daniel Ayers Professor of Biology Emeritus who chaired the Department of Biology at Wesleyan University for six years. He has published over 75 original research papers concerning microbial pathogenicity and was awarded several million dollars from both governmental and private agencies to support his research. He has taught over 6000 undergraduate and graduate students during his 47-year tenure at Wesleyan, as well as presenting numerous seminars at various universities and meetings.

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