Microbiology comprises the study of various microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is focused on gaining knowledge of all the aspects associated with these microorganisms, like physiology, behavior, biochemistry, evolution and ecology. It also assesses the pathology of the disease caused by them. According to the taxonomy, various branches of microbiology include bacteriology, nematology, protozoology, immunology, parasitology, mycology, and phycology. Microbiology includes a range of subsets from immunology, from genetic engineering to microbial genetics. Immunology studies the manner in which the immune system in humans protects them from microbes causing infectious disease. It is concerned with understanding the relationships between the hosts and pathogens like viruses and bacteria. The integrated approach to immunology and microbiology can be utilized in understanding the effect that microbes have on the health of humans. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of immunology and medical microbiology, which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.

The aim of this book is to give an in-depth assessment of our current understanding of the Biology of the main fungal pathogens and how they interact with the host’s immune response. Each chapter focuses on a specific fungal pathogen or group of pathogens, and examines their biology and the factors that allow the fungus to colonize and disseminate within the host. The chapters are written by internationally recognized experts in the field.

Publisher’s note: This is a 2nd edition due to an article retraction.

This book focuses on probiotics with antiviral activities. The "antiviral probiotic" is a new concept in medical sciences. Recently, studies have shown that antiviral probiotics can fight or prevent viral infections in many ways. The immunomodulation of mucosal immunity, production of antiviral compounds, virus trapping and the use thereof as vaccination vectors are the principal modes of action of antiviral probiotics. The author dedicates an entire chapter of the book to discussing the methods and techniques used to assess the antiviral activity of probiotic strains and their metabolites.

Our body is not sterile and harbors enumerable microflora that are now being understood to play a complex role in immune regulation and shaping of the immune system in a continuous and dynamic way. In 8 chapters, Microbial Crosstalk with Immune System: New Insights in Therapeutics provides an overall introduction with special focus on how the immune system which is specifically geared to get rid of non-self-antigens, allows numerous microbes to colonize the human body. In the presence of microbes there are several observations that suggest that there are multiple roles that are played by these microbes in tumor progression and shaping of our immune system which is explained at length in subsequent chapters. Microbial Crosstalk with Immune System: New Insights in Therapeutics discusses the emerging mechanisms of immune-therapeutics as well as its limitations while emphasizing the potential role of microbes in shaping immune-therapeutic and evolving novel strategies to deal with any limitations. Focuses on the modulation of immune system by the microbiome, thus affecting cancer prognosis Discusses various current research strategies in the field that are still in experimental stages. enabling readers to gain a perspective on the ongoing research in the field Gives insight into the emerging mechanisms of immune-therapeutics and its limitations Emphasizes the potential role of microbes in shaping immune-therapeutics

Rapid progress in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and basic research in immunology has opened up new possibilities for application to diagnostic procedures and to clinical research. In a short period a new era of diagnosis dawned, covering nearly all fields of microbiology, immunology, and food technology. In consequence of this rapid development, scientists of many disciplines are involved studying infections of humans, animals, and plants or working in technical microbiology. The application of the newest findings of basic research to diagnostic work and to clinical research covers nearly all fields of microbiology and immunology. Moreover, it underlines the close relationship between diagnosis, therapy, and epidemiology. An outstanding example of these connections is given by the recent development of hepatitis B vaccine. The discovery and identification of a non cultivable agent by physicochemical and immunological methods were the heralds of a new era in the prevention of infectious diseases. This book provides an up-to-date, comprehensive review of developments and future aspects in various fields. I am convinced that the authors have succeeded in furnishing a large variety of new ideas and possibilities. K.-O. HABERMEHL Contents Time Realities in the Evaluation of Vaccines for Safety and Efficacy The Evaluation of Vaccines M. R. HILLEMAN . . . . .