Books published by American Society for Microbiology

Can today's innovative practices and molecular tools tame this ancient disease?

The Power of Plagues presents a rogues' gallery of epidemic- causing microorganisms placed in the context of world history. Author Irwin W. Sherman introduces the microbes that caused these epidemics and the people who sought (and still seek) to understand how diseases and epidemics are managed. What makes this book especially fascinating are the many threads that Sherman weaves together as he explains how plagues past and present have shaped the outcome of wars and altered the course of medicine, religion, education, feudalism, and science. Cholera gave birth to the field of epidemiology. The bubonic plague epidemic that began in 1346 led to the formation of universities in cities far from the major centers of learning (and hot spots of the Black Death) at that time. And the Anopheles mosquito and malaria aided General George Washington during the American Revolution. Sadly, when microbes have inflicted death and suffering, people have sometimes responded by invoking discrimination, scapegoating, and quarantine, often unfairly, against races or classes of people presumed to be the cause of the epidemic.Pathogens are not the only stars of this book. Many scientists and physicians who toiled to understand, treat, and prevent these plagues are also featured. Sherman tells engaging tales of the development of vaccines, anesthesia, antiseptics, and antibiotics. This arsenal has dramatically reduced the suffering and death caused by infectious diseases, but these plague protectors are imperfect, due to their side effects or attenuation and because microbes almost invariably develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs.The Power of Plagues provides a sobering reminder that plagues are not a thing of the past. Along with the persistence of tuberculosis, malaria, river blindness, and AIDS, emerging and remerging epidemics continue to confound global and national public health efforts. West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and Ebola and Zika viruses are just some of the newest rogues to plague humans.The argument that civilization has been shaped to a significant degree by the power of plagues is compelling, and The Power of Plagues makes the case in an engaging and informative way that will be satisfying to scientists and non-scientists alike.

For Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections, Dr. Schlossberg assembled an international team of experts to write about nearly every facet of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. In addition to presenting the latest clinical data, epidemiological findings, and policy and strategy recommendations of the World Health Organization, four new chapters cover topics of critical importance:* The role of therapeutic drug monitoring in mycobacterial infections* The public health issues of refugees and migrants, and their exposure and transmission of tuberculosis resulting from humanitarian crises* Diabetes mellitus as a significant risk factor for tuberculosis* The increased risk of tuberculosis reactivation in people taking tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biopharmaceuticals Other chapters provide detailed information on the clinical, public health, and policy aspects of tracking and treating tuberculosis, including:* The many presentations of tuberculosis, from pulmonary to ocular and cardiovascular to urogenital* The complications that tuberculosis and antituberculosis therapy cause to the hematologic and endocrine systems* Tuberculosis during pregnancy and in infants and children* Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and extensively drugresistant tuberculosis* Development of new vaccines* Nontuberculous infections caused by mycobacteria found throughout our environmentThe seventh edition of Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections is an essential resource for anyone working to prevent and treat tuberculosis and associated infections, from infectious disease specialists to scientists, policymakers, and epidemiologists.

Ground-breaking overview of an enduring topicDespite the use of antibiotics, bacterial diseases continue to be a critical issue in public health, and bacterial pathogenesis remains a tantalizing problem for research microbiologists. This new edition of Virulence Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogens broadly covers the knowledge base surrounding this topic and presents recently unraveled bacterial virulence strategies and cutting-edge therapies.A team of editors, led by USDA scientist Indira Kudva, compiled perspectives from experts to explain the wide variety of mechanisms through which bacterial pathogens cause disease: the host interface, host cell enslavement, and bacterial communication, secretion, defenses, and persistence. A collection of reviews on targeted therapies rounds out the seven sections of this unique book. The new edition provides insights into some of the most recent advances in the area of bacterial pathogenesis, including* how metabolism shapes the host-pathogen interface* interactions across species and genera* mechanisms of the secretion systems* evasion, survival, and persistence mechanisms* new therapies targeting various adaptive and virulence mechanisms of bacterial pathogensWritten to promote discussion, extrapolation, exploration, and multidimensional thinking, Virulence Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogens serves as a textbook for graduate courses on bacterial pathogenesis and a resource for specialists in bacterial pathogenicity, such as molecular biologists, physician scientists, infectious disease clinicians, dental scientists, veterinarians, molecular biologists, industry researchers, and technicians.

An examination of the various chemical and physical antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization methods used for infection prevention and contamination control. Serves as a reference for microbiologists, chemists, facilities managers, health care professionals, infection and contamination control practitioners, application engineers, and students.

This book addresses the larger issues being addressed by paleomicrobiology, reviews the technical approaches and controversies attendant upon recovering and sequencing very old DNA, and surveys a number of modern diseases of humans with ancient roots. It will be of very great interest to microbiologists, anthropologists and medical historians.

The study of bacterial spores spans biosecurity to ecologyThe first articles describing the sporulation process were published by Robert Koch and Ferdinand Cohn in the late 19th century. Although most of the work accomplished in the past 50 years has focused on the model organism Bacillus subtilis, more recent work significantly expanded the scope of sporulation research to integrate medically relevant spore pathogens, such as B. anthracis and Clostridium difficile, as well as investigations of the ecology of spore-forming species. This new direction is supported by an explosion of novel techniques that can also be applied to nonmodel organisms, such as next-generation sequencing, metagenomics, and transcriptomics.The Bacterial Spore provides a comprehensive series of reviews of the major topics in spore biology that represent intensive, cutting-edge spore research. Editors Adam Driks and Patrick Eichenberger assembled chapters written by a team of diverse and multidisciplinary experts in biodefense and microbial forensics to produce an overview of topics of spore research, such as spore molecular biology, bioremediation, systems biology, issues in biodefense, and the challenge of food safety that is accessible to any reader, regardless of expertise. The Bacterial Spore also encompasses the diversity of spore research, which will appeal to those seeking to broaden their knowledge.The Bacterial Spore is a reference for a wide range of readers, including geneticists, cell biologists, physiologists, structural and evolutionary biologists, applied scientists, advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and nonresearchers, such as national security professionals.

Provides complete, concise information on the unique needs of the microbiology laboratory regarding specimen management and is the only single source for the specimen management policies required for laboratory results that are accurate, significant, and clinically relevant.

Food Microbiology clarifies complex topics in the field of food microbiology and encourages students to venture beyond memorization and think critically to gain a broader conceptual understanding of food microbiology and acquire the understanding and skills necessary to ensure the safety of tomorrow's food supply.

The structure, functions, and interactions of myeloid cells have long been the focus of research and therapeutics development. Yet, much more remains to be discovered about the complex web of relationships that makes up the immune systems of animals. Scientists today are applying genome-wide analyses, single-cell methods, gene editing, and modern imaging techniques to reveal new subclasses of differentiated myeloid cells, new receptors and cytokines, and important interactions among immune cells.In Myeloid Cells in Health and Disease: A Synthesis, Editor Siamon Gordon has assembled an international team of esteemed scientists to provide their perspectives of myeloid cells during innate and adaptive immunity. The book begins by presenting the foundational research of Paul Ehrlich, Elie Metchnikoff, and Donald Metcalf. The following chapters discuss evolution and the life cycles of myeloid cells; specific types of differentiated myeloid cells, including macrophage differentiation; and antigen processing and presentation. The rest of the book is organized by broad topics in immunology, including* the recruitment of myeloid and other immune cells following microbial infection* the role of myeloid cells in the inflammation process and the repair of damaged tissue* the vast arsenal of myeloid cell secretory molecules, including metalloproteinases, tumor necrosis factor, histamine, and perforin* receptors and downstream signaling pathways that are activated following ligand-receptor binding* roles of myeloid cells during microbial and parasite infections* contributions of myeloid cells in atherosclerosis* myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor development and cancerMyeloid Cells in Health and Disease: A Synthesis will benefit graduate students and researchers in immunology, hematology, microbial pathogenesis, infectious disease, pathology, and pharmacology. Established scientists and physicians in these and related fields will enjoy the book's rich history of myeloid cell research and suggestions for future research directions and potential therapies.

Essential resource for the fight against emerging infectious diseasesIncidences such as the 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the 2015 appearance of Zika in Brazil provide dramatic evidence of the continued ability of microbes to emerge, spread, adapt, and threaten global health. The challenge facing infectious disease specialists and public health professionals is to improve and find new diagnostic, therapeutic, and prevention strategies.The editors of the 10th installment of the Emerging Infections series have compiled the perspectives of leading infectious disease experts into 22 chapters that provide important updates on a broad range of emerging and reemerging bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infectious diseases in the United States and globally. In addition to focusing on MERS, Ebola virus disease, chikungunya, and Zika virus disease, Emerging Infections 10 explores the global threat of antimicrobial resistance in reviews on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, multiply-resistant gonococcal infections, non-typhoidal Salmonella infections, and artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Topics include both recently- and long-recognized diseases that pose challenges for the clinical, laboratory, research, public health, and animal health communities.Emerging Infections 10 presents new and emerging strategies to prevent, control, and eradicate infectious diseases and guides readers to the primary literature where they can explore individual topics in greater depth. This book is a valuable reference for professionals in microbiology, epidemiology, public health, and clinical and veterinary medicine.

The single most comprehensive resource for environmental microbiologyEnvironmental microbiology, the study of the roles that microbes play in all planetary environments, is one of the most important areas of scientific research. The Manual of Environmental Microbiology, Fourth Edition, provides comprehensive coverage of this critical and growing field.Thoroughly updated and revised, the Manual is the definitive reference for information on microbes in air, water, and soil and their impact on human health and welfare. Written in accessible, clear prose, the manual covers four broad areas: general methodologies, environmental public health microbiology, microbial ecology, and biodegradation and biotransformation. This wealth of information is divided into 18 sections each containing chapters written by acknowledged topical experts from the international community.Specifically, this new edition of the Manual* Contains completely new sections covering microbial risk assessment, quality control, and microbial source tracking* Incorporates a summary of the latest methodologies used to study microorganisms in various environments* Synthesizes the latest information on the assessment of microbial presence and microbial activity in natural and artificial environmentsThe Manual of Environmental Microbiology is an essential reference for environmental microbiologists, microbial ecologists, and environmental engineers, as well as those interested in human diseases, water and wastewater treatment, and biotechnology.

Presents useful information to support confident identification of leisure-associated infections. Enables informed choices and provides an understanding of the risks posed to human health by hobbies, exotic foods and travel. Useful for health care professionals, microbiologists, and infectious diseases specialists.

The definitive clinical virology resource for physicians and clinical laboratory virologistsThe clinical virology field is rapidly evolving and, as a result, physicians and clinical laboratory virologists must have a reliable reference tool to aid in their ability to identify and diagnose viral infections to prevent future outbreaks.In this completely revised edition of the Clinical Virology Manual, Editor in Chief, Michael Loeffelholz, along with Section Editors, Richard Hodinka, Benjamin Pinsky, and Stephen Young, have complied expert perspectives of a renowned team of clinical virology experts and divided these contributions into three sections to provide* the latest information on the diagnosis of viral infections, including ebola, HIV and Human papillomavirus* state of the art diagnostic technologies, including next-generation sequencing and nucleic acid amplification methods* taxonomy of clinically important viruses such as polyomaviruses and zoonotic virusesThis comprehensive reference also includes three appendices with vital information on reference virology laboratories at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local public health laboratories, and international reference laboratories and laboratory systems.Additionally, a new section "Diagnostic Best Practices," which summarizes recommendations for diagnostic testing, and cites evidence-based guidelines, is included in each viral pathogens chapter.Clinical Virology Manual, Fifth Edition serves as a reference source to healthcare professionals and laboratorians in providing clinical and technical information regarding viral diseases and the diagnosis of viral infections.

Strategies for providing optimal care to this high-risk patient groupThe immunocompromised patient population is increasing throughout the world. Major advances in transplantation techniques have expanded access to lifesaving therapies and improved outcomes in these high-risk populations. An understanding of the biology of these infections, host conditions, and the limitations of technologies used to detect and quantify such pathogens is critical to optimal care.This new edition of Diagnostic Microbiology of the Immunocompromised Host covers all aspects of state-of-the-art diagnostics for infectious complications in the immunocompromised patient. Editors Randall Hayden, Karen Carroll, Yi-Wei Tang and Donna Wolk, assembled the contributions of a team of preeminent authors to discuss a broad range of topics, including* relevant aspects of host biology, antineoplastic, and transplantation techniques and the basis of immunosuppressive conditions ranging from diabetes to age-related immunosuppression* approaches, interpretations, and limitations of laboratory diagnosis of infections by a wide range of specific etiologic agents* laboratory diagnosis of infections of specific organ systems, such as respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal tract infections, and central nervous system infections* special topics such as prosthetic devices and catheters, healthcare acquired infections, and morphologic considerations (anatomic pathology)* future diagnostic technologies and their potential impact on the fieldDiagnostic Microbiology of the Immunocompromised Host is a resource for laboratory medicine specialists, pathologists, technologists, students, and clinical care professionals who are involved or interested in the care of the immunocompromised host.

A look at the amazing, groovy world of microbesWith more than 1,000 posts and 2 million views, the esteemed blog Small Things Considered has been sparking the imagination of microbiologists for an entire decade. Throughout the years, Elio Schaechter and his team of dedicated bloggers have shared exciting, unexpected, and unusual stories from the microbial world.In the Company of Microbes is a carefully selected treasure chest of wise, amusing, and even profound statements about the ubiquity and relevance of the microbial world. Schaechter, past ASM Presidents, and distinguished microbiologists from around the globe reflect on personal, sometimes historic interactions with microbes and unexpected discoveries, each essay conveying the excitement and sense of surprise that microbiology holds for them. This is the reason that Small Things Considered is a scientific and social media phenomenon that has impacted scientists at every stage of their careers and shared the magical of microbes with world.Join Schaechter in discovering a never-ending pageant of astounding variations on the theme of microbial life. Enjoy!

A chemocentric view of the molecular structures of antibiotics, their origins, actions, and major categories of resistanceAntibiotics: Challenges, Mechanisms, Opportunities focuses on antibiotics as small organic molecules, from both natural and synthetic sources. Understanding the chemical scaffold and functional group structures of the major classes of clinically useful antibiotics is critical to understanding how antibiotics interact selectively with bacterial targets.This textbook details how classes of antibiotics interact with five known robust bacterial targets: cell wall assembly and maintenance, membrane integrity, protein synthesis, DNA and RNA information transfer, and the folate pathway to deoxythymidylate. It also addresses the universe of bacterial resistance, from the concept of the resistome to the three major mechanisms of resistance: antibiotic destruction, antibiotic active efflux, and alteration of antibiotic targets. Antibiotics also covers the biosynthetic machinery for the major classes of natural product antibiotics.Authors Christopher Walsh and Timothy Wencewicz provide compelling answers to these questions:* What are antibiotics?* Where do antibiotics come from?* How do antibiotics work?* Why do antibiotics stop working?* How should our limited inventory of effective antibiotics be addressed?Antibiotics is a textbook for graduate courses in chemical biology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and microbiology and biochemistry courses. It is also a valuable reference for microbiologists, biological and natural product chemists, pharmacologists, and research and development scientists.

An exploration of the raw power of genetic material to refashion itself to any purpose...Virtually all organisms contain multiple mobile DNAs that can move from place to place, and in some organisms, mobile DNA elements make up a significant portion of the genome. Mobile DNA III provides a comprehensive review of recent research, including findings suggesting the important role that mobile elements play in genome evolution and stability.Editor-in-Chief Nancy L. Craig assembled a team of multidisciplinary experts to develop this cutting-edge resource that* covers the specific molecular mechanisms involved in recombination, including a detailed structural analysis of the enzymes responsible* presents a detailed account of the many different recombination systems that can rearrange genomes* examines the tremendous impact of mobile DNA in virtually all organismsMobile DNA III is valuable as an in-depth supplemental reading for upper level life sciences students and as a reference for investigators exploring new biological systems. Biomedical researchers will find documentation of recent advances in understanding immune-antigen conflict between host and pathogen. It introduces biotechnicians to amazing tools for in vivo control of designer DNAs. It allows specialists to pick and choose advanced reviews of specific elements and to be drawn in by unexpected parallels and contrasts among the elements in diverse organisms.Mobile DNA III provides the most lucid reviews of these complex topics available anywhere.

Presenting the latest molecular diagnostic techniques in one comprehensive volumeThe molecular diagnostics landscape has changed dramatically since the last edition of Molecular Microbiology: Diagnostic Principles and Practice in 2011. With the spread of molecular testing and the development of new technologies and their opportunities, laboratory professionals and physicians more than ever need a resource to help them navigate this rapidly evolving field.Editors David Persing and Fred Tenover have brought together a team of experienced researchers and diagnosticians to update this third edition comprehensively, to present the latest developments in molecular diagnostics in the support of clinical care and of basic and clinical research, including next-generation sequencing and whole-genome analysis. These updates are provided in an easy-to-read format and supported by a broad range of practical advice, such as determining the appropriate type and quantity of a specimen, releasing and concentrating the targets, and eliminating inhibitors.Molecular Microbiology: Diagnostic Principles and Practice* Presents the latest basic scientific theory underlying molecular diagnostics* Offers tested and proven applications of molecular diagnostics for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, including point-of-care testing* Illustrates and summarizes key concepts and techniques with detailed figures and tables* Discusses emerging technologies, including the use of molecular typing methods for real-time tracking of infectious outbreaks and antibiotic resistance* Advises on the latest quality control and quality assurance measures* Explores the increasing opportunities and capabilities of information technologyMolecular Microbiology: Diagnostic Principles and Practice is a textbook for molecular diagnostics courses that can also be used by anyone involved with diagnostic test selection and interpretation. It is also a useful reference for laboratories and as a continuing education resource for physicians.

Groundbreaking thinking on how bacterial metabolism is foundational to pathogenesisFor too long, bacterial metabolism and bacterial pathogenesis have been studied as separate entities. However, the scientific community is beginning to realize that not only are bacterial nutrient acquisition and utilization essential for pathogenesis, but that interfering with the pathogen-specific metabolic pathways used during infection can regulate virulence factor expression and might lead to effective breakthroughs in a variety of treatments.Editors Paul Cohen and Tyrrell Conway, who pioneered the use of metabolic mutants in competitive colonization assays, an approach now widely used to investigate the nutrition of pathogens in vivo, are uniquely qualified to advance our knowledge of this integrative field of research. They convened a group of contributors who are breaking new ground in understanding how bacterial metabolism is foundational to pathogenesis to share their expert perspectives and outlook for the future.Beginning with overviews, Metabolism and Bacterial Pathogenesis covers* a wide range of diseases and both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria that serve as model systems for in vitro and in vivo investigations* intracellular, respiratory, and enteric pathogens* pathogen-specific nutrient acquisition in hosts* mechanisms of host-driven metabolic adaptation by pathogens* metabolic regulation of virulence gene expressionUseful for specialists in bacterial pathogenesis and specialists in metabolism as well as molecular biologists, physicians, veterinarians, dentists, graduate and undergraduate students, and laboratory technicians, Metabolism and Bacterial Pathogenesis is also essential reading for scientists studying the microbiome.

A comprehensive introduction to this exciting and developing field.

State-of-the-art reviews covering major aspects of antibodies and intervention against infectious diseasesThe connection between antibodies and infectious diseases has spawned entire related fields of study. Antibodies for Infectious Diseases presents perspectives from leading research scientists and summarizes the amazing progress in this area into a single definitive source.Providing a broad survey of the most important aspects of the field of antibodies for infectious diseases, this book* presents general features pertaining to structure, function, isotype, and the role of complement in antibody function* examines the role of antibodies in antimicrobial immunity with specific targets* details new methods for expression of monoclonal antibodies, in plants or by transfer of antibody genes for in vivo expression in treated subjectsAntibodies for Infectious Diseases is a comprehensive reference for researchers, pharmaceutical developers, and health care professionals on the status of the development of antibody-based therapies for treating infectious diseases. It is also useful as supplemental reading for upper level life sciences students.

An excellent textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in the biosciences that features a series of chapters describing the latest advances in the basic knowledge of plasmid biology, the specialized functions plasmids confer to the host cell, and the practical utilization of plasmids for discovery, medicine, and agriculture.

A comprehensive collection of perspectives by experts in mycobacterial molecular biologyMycobacterium tuberculosis causes one in four avoidable deaths in the developing world and kills more adults than malaria, AIDS, and all tropical diseases combined. Tuberculosis was named a global health emergency by the World Health Organization, a distinction no other disease has received. Although the study of mycobacterial genetics has expanded dramatically, with new investigations into mycobacterial growth, replication, metabolism, physiology, drug susceptibility, and virulence, most of the problems in tuberculosis control that existed in 2000 remain today.Advances in our understanding of mycobacterial genetics have been reflected in exciting recent developments. New diagnostic approaches can identify drug resistance within a few hours, promising new drugs are progressing through the pipeline and into the clinic, and a range of newly developed vaccines are being evaluated. It is an exciting time as the fruits of 30 years of intensive genetic investigation are finally beginning to emerge.Written by leading experts in the field, Molecular Genetics of Mycobacteria, Second Edition,* Discusses key areas of current research in mycobacterial genetics* Explains the genetics of the physiology, metabolism, and drug sensitivities of M. tuberculosis* Presents genetic approaches for manipulating M. tuberculosisThis book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the molecular genetics and molecular biology of mycobacteria.

Written by scientists working in the field, this book will provide a series of "stories" about how disruption of the environment and transmission from animal hosts is responsible for emerging human and animal diseases.

The future is now--this groundbreaking textbook illustrates how biotechnology has radically changed the way we think about health careBiotechnology is delivering not only new products to diagnose, prevent, and treat human disease but entirely new approaches to a wide range of difficult biomedical challenges. Because of advances in biotechnology, hundreds of new therapeutic agents, diagnostic tests, and vaccines have been developed and are available in the marketplace.In this jargon-free, easy-to-read textbook, the authors demystify the discipline of medical biotechnology and present a roadmap that provides a fundamental understanding of the wide-ranging approaches pursued by scientists to diagnose, prevent, and treat medical conditions.Medical Biotechnology is written to educate premed and medical students, dental students, pharmacists, optometrists, nurses, nutritionists, genetic counselors, hospital administrators, and individuals who are stakeholders in the understanding and advancement of biotechnology and its impact on the practice of modern medicine.Hardcover, 700 pages, full-color illustrations throughout, glossary, index.