Synopses & Reviews
Introductory textbook describing the ways in which bacteria cause disease at the molecular and cellular level.
Review
"...the authors provide a comprehensive introduction to this exciting hybrid of disciplines..." ASM News"...a welcome teaching tool for introducing students to this rapidly growing field.... this text offers a comprehensive look at the molecular mechanisms that allow bacterial pathogens to manipulate normal host cell functions for their own benefit.... the authors do an impressive job of providing an up-to-date view of the major concepts in the interactions between prokaryotic pathogens and their eukaryotic hosts.... Bacterial Disease Mechanisms is likely to become a mainstay for those who teach microbial pathogenesis as well as a useful starting point for researchers interested in acquainting themselves with concepts underpinning this exciting field." Cell become a mainstay..." Cell
Synopsis
This introductory cellular microbiology textbook describes how bacteria cause human diseases. It offers a new perspective on the way in which bacteria damage their human host. It differs from other books on the subject by describing disease mechanisms in terms of the way in which bacteria subvert normal host cell functions and defense systems to ensure their own survival. Molecular techniques used to investigate these mechanisms are also discussed. Bacterial Disease Mechanisms will provide a core textbook for students taking courses on cellular and molecular microbiology, pathogenicity and medical microbiology.
About the Author
Michael Wilson is currently Professor of Microbiology in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University College London, and Head of the Department of Microbiology at the Eastman Dental Institute, University College London. He is the co-editor of Community Structure and Co-operation in Biofilms, 2000 (0521793025) and editor of Bacterial Adhesion to Host Tissues, 2001 (0521801079). His main research interests are bacterial virulence factors, biofilms and the development of new antimicrobial strategies.Brian Henderson is Professor of Cell Biology and Head of the Cellular Microbiology Research Group at the Eastman Dental Institute, University College London. His research centres around cytokine biology and the interactions of bacteria with myeloid and lymphoid cells.Rod McNab is Lecturer in Molecular Microbiology at the Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, and works on streptococcal adhesion and colonization factors, biofilms and bacterial cell-cell communication.
Table of Contents
Preface; Abbreviations used; 1. An introduction to bacterial diseases; 2. Bacterial cell biology; 3. Molecular analysis of bacterial virulence mechanisms; 4. Communication in infection; 5. The mucosal surface: the front line of antibacterial defence; 6. Immune defences against bacteria; 7. Bacterial adhesion as a virulence mechanism; 8. Bacterial invasion as a virulence mechanism; 9. Bacterial exotoxins; 10. Bacterial evasion of host defence mechanisms; 11. Bacteria in human health and disease: the future?; Appendix A. Glossary of terms used; Appendix B. Brief descriptions of bacteria frequently mentioned; Index.