Measles virus possesses a non segmented, single stranded, negative sense RNA genome that is encapsidated by the nucleoprotein to form a helical nucleocapsid. This ribonucleoproteic complex is the substrate for both transcription and replication. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase binds to the nucleocapsid template via its co-factor, the phosphoprotein. This book focuses on the main structural information available on the nucleoprotein, showing that it consists of a structured core (NCORE) and of an intrinsically disordered C-terminal domain (NTAIL). The functional implications of the disordered nature of NTAIL are discussed in light of the ability of disordered regions to establish interactions with multiple partners, thus leading to multiple biological effects. Indeed, beyond the phosphoprotein, NTAIL also interacts with cellular partners, including the major heat shock protein, hsp72, the interferon regulator factor 3, IRF3, and a yet unidentified cellular receptor referred to as NR. This book consists of two chapters devoted to the general functions of the nucleoprotein in transcription and replication and to a detailed overview of its structural properties, and of three chapters focused on the functional relevance of the interaction between NTAIL and its various intracellular and extracellular partners.

Antisera to the membrane (M) protein and to the nucleoprotein (NP) of measles virus, were prepared in rabbits. Each of the antisera was characterized by the immunoprecipitation technique and found to be monospecific. These monospecific antisera were used to determine, by indirect immunofluorescence, the cellular location of M-protein and NP during infection. The antiserum to M-protein stained the cytoplasm of Vero cells. The NP antiserum stained both the cytoplasm and nucleus. The NP was found to undergo breakdown in infected cells. This breakdown could be inhibited by aprotinin, a protease inhibitor specific for trypsin and chymotrypsin. As no protease function has been identified for the proteins of measles virus, it is believed that the proteolysis is a cellular function. The significance of proteolytic breakdown in the assembly of measles virus is discussed. Persons who receive inactivated measles vaccine and are subsequently exposed to wild type virus may experience atypical measles. It has been postulated that these individuals are susceptible to atypical measles because the inactivated vaccine fails to induce antibodies to the F-protein as detected by hemolysis-inhibition. Matched (acute and convalescent) serum samples were analyzed by the immunoprecipitation technique. Sera taken during the acute stage of the disease did not precipitate radiolabelled F-protein. Convalescent sera, which had been collected three weeks later, did precipitate the F-protein. The absence of antibodies to F confirms the earlier work obtained by hemolysis inhibition tests. These findings support the concept that atypical measles is the result of an absence of antibodies to F-protein. Once it was recognized that atypical measles appeared following the use of inactivated vaccines, an attenuated virus vaccine was introduced for widespread immunization programs. This vaccine was also used in "catch up" programs to reimmunize individuals who had previously received "killed" vaccine. The value of this "catch up" program was analyzed using matched serum samples obtained from children previously immunized with inactivated virus vaccine, who volunteered for reimmunization with the attenuated vaccine. Since in no case was reimmunization found to result in conversion to the production of antibody to F-protein, the attempt to irradicate atypical measles by this procedure should be re-evaluated. The monoclonal antibody technique was employed to obtain a series of monospecific antibodies to the measles virus proteins. In initial experiments 17 clones secreting antibody to the measles Lee strain were obtained. Of these, two clones have been established as stable cell lines. Both of these clones secrete antibody specific for the NP of the virus.

This book provides up-to-date information on experimental and computational characterization of the structural and functional properties of viral proteins, which are widely involved in regulatory and signaling processes. With chapters by leading research groups, it features current information on the structural and functional roles of intrinsic disorders in viral proteomes. It systematically addresses the measles, HIV, influenza, potato virus, forest virus, bovine virus, hepatitis, and rotavirus as well as viral genomics. After analyzing the unique features of each class of viral proteins, future directions for research and disease management are presented.

What justifies the size of this compendium of reviews on the paramyxoviruses? As intracellular parasites that reproduce with almost complete indifference to nuclear activities, paramyxoviruses have not been providing insights about genes that regulate cellular activities and development, topics that account for much of the excitement in modem biology. For contributions of virus research to those topics, we must look to the retroviruses, which have the propensity to steal developmentally important genes and subvert them to malignant pur poses, and to the nuclear DNA viruses, whose gene expression depends heavily upon cellular transcription machinery, making them exceptionally useful tools for identifying and characterizing components of that machinery. From this perspective, it may appear that purely lytic viruses like the paramyxoviruses are sitting on the sidelines of contemporary biology. But there is plenty of action on the sidelines. Paramyxoviruses remain unconquered, devastating agents of disease. Human deaths attributable to paramyxoviruses worldwide, especially in children, are numbered in the mil lions annually. There are many pathogenic paramyxoviruses and too few effec tive vaccines, and those vaccines (against measles and mumps) are affordable only by relatively affluent nations. Moreover, the paramyxoviruses are intrin sically interesting organisms, presenting the challenge of understanding the self-replication of RNA and many other challenges peculiar to the structures and functions of their proteins, not only as individual entities, but also as they act in concert during virus reproduction and interact with vital functions of the cells they infect and often (but not always) destroy.

New emerging diseases, new diagnostic modalities for resource-poor settings, new vaccine schedules ... all significant, recent developments in the fast-changing field of tropical medicine. Hunter’s Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 10th Edition, keeps you up to date with everything from infectious diseases and environmental issues through poisoning and toxicology, animal injuries, and nutritional and micronutrient deficiencies that result from traveling to tropical or subtropical regions. This comprehensive resource provides authoritative clinical guidance, useful statistics, and chapters covering organs, skills, and services, as well as traditional pathogen-based content. You’ll get a full understanding of how to recognize and treat these unique health issues, no matter how widespread or difficult to control. Includes important updates on malaria, leishmaniasis, tuberculosis and HIV, as well as coverage of Ebola, Zika virus, Chikungunya, and other emerging pathogens. Provides new vaccine schedules and information on implementation. Features five all-new chapters: Neglected Tropical Diseases: Public Health Control Programs and Mass Drug Administration; Health System and Health Care Delivery; Zika; Medical Entomology; and Vector Control – as well as 250 new images throughout. Presents the common characteristics and methods of transmission for each tropical disease, as well as the applicable diagnosis, treatment, control, and disease prevention techniques. Contains skills-based chapters such as dentistry, neonatal pediatrics and ICMI, and surgery in the tropics, and service-based chapters such as transfusion in resource-poor settings, microbiology, and imaging. Discusses maladies such as delusional parasitosis that are often seen in returning travelers, including those making international adoptions, transplant patients, medical tourists, and more.

Measles virus, one of the most contagious of all human viruses, has been largely contained by the development and use of a vaccine that was introduced 50 years ago. These two volumes were timed to honor the introduction of the vaccine and to record the enormous advancements made in understanding the molecular and cell biology, pathogenesis, and control of this infectious disease. Where vaccine has been effectively delivered, endemic measles virus transmission has been eliminated. However, difficulties in vaccine delivery, lack of health care support and objection to vaccination in some communities continue to result in nearly 40 million cases and over 300,000 deaths per year from measles.