Microsporidia: Pathogens of Opportunity provides a systematic overview of the biology of microsporidia. Written by leading experts in the field, the book combines background and basic information on microsporidia with descriptive methods and resources for working with the pathogen. Newly revised and updated for its second edition, Microsporidia will continue to be the standard text reference for these pathogenic protists, and is an indispensable research resource for biologists, physicians and parasitologists. This new edition of this publication provides systematic reviews of the biology of this pathogen by leading experts in the field, and will be combined with descriptions of the methods and resources for working with this pathogen. • Provides a comprehensive summary of literature on microsporidia and microsporidiosis • The long-awaited update to the standard microsporidia reference text The Microsporidia and Microsporidiosis • Written by an international team of authors representing each of the main research groups working on microsporidia • Chapters provide comprehensive overviews of general methodology as well as special techniques related to these organisms

This is the introductory volume of a new series to be issued under our general editorship. With the development of an unpre cedented increase in interest in comparative pathobiology, we are of the opinion and intent that Comparative PathobioZogy should become the focal point for the publication of definitive reviews and the proceedings of significant symposia in this area of modern biomedical science. Although the term is now in common use, the question is still sometimes raised as to what "pathobiology" includes. This broad area of modern biology includes but extends beyond traditional pathology. It also encompasses studies directed at understanding the biology, chemistry, and physics of infectious agents, in cluding how they contact and invade the effected organism; the reactions of hosts to such agents, as well as to abiotic invaders; the ecologic parameters which facilitate infection; and the development of tools essential for the understanding of hast pathogen interactions. In other words, pathobiology is inter disciplinary and incorporates all of those aspects of biology, chemistry, and physics which directly or indirectly permit greater understanding of the nature of infectious and noninfectious diseases and the possible implications of such in biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental science. By "comparative" is meant an analytical and critical evaluation of comparable processes as they apply to all categories of animals, invertebrates as well as poikilothermic and homeothermic verte brates.

Microbiology and Molecular Diagnosis in Pathology: A Comprehensive Review for Board Preparation, Certification and Clinical Practice reviews all aspects of microbiology and molecular diagnostics essential to successfully passing the American Board of Pathology exam. This review book will also serve as a first resource for residents who want to become familiar with the diagnostic aspects of microbiology and molecular methods, as well as a refresher course for practicing pathologists. Opening chapters discuss issues of laboratory management, including quality control, biosafety, regulations, and proper handling and reporting of laboratory specimens. Review chapters give a quick overview of specific clinical infections as well as different types of bacteria, viruses, fungal infections, and infections caused by parasites. Following these, coverage focuses on diagnostic tools and specific tests: media for clinical microbiology, specific stains and tests for microbial identifications, susceptibility testing and use of antimicrobial agents, tests for detecting antibodies, antigens, and microbial infections. Two final chapters offer overviews on molecular diagnostics principles and methods as well as the application of molecular diagnostics in clinical practice. - Takes a practical and easy-to-read approach to understanding microbiology at an appropriate level for both board preparation as well as a professional refresher course - Covers all important clinical information found in larger textbooks in a more succinct and easy-to-understand manner - Covers essential concepts in microbiology in such a way that residents, fellows, and clinicians understand the methods and tests without having to become specialists in the field - Offers a quick overview of specific clinical infections as well as different types of bacteria, viruses, fungal infections, and infections caused by parasites

Published in a modern, user-friendly format this fully revised and updated edition of The Handbook of Protoctista (1990) is the resource for those interested in the biology, diversity and evolution of eukaryotic microorganisms and their descendants, exclusive of animals, plants and fungi. With chapters written by leading researchers in the field, the content reflects the present state of knowledge of the cell and genome biology, evolutionary relationships and ecological/medical/economic importance each major group of protists, organized according to current protist systematics as informed by molecular phylogenetics and genomics.

Fungi research and knowledge grew rapidly following recent advances in genetics and genomics. This book synthesizes new knowledge with existing information to stimulate new scientific questions and propel fungal scientists on to the next stages of research. This book is a comprehensive guide on fungi, environmental sensing, genetics, genomics, interactions with microbes, plants, insects, and humans, technological applications, and natural product development.

Mycology, the study of fungi, originated as a subdiscipline of botany and was a des criptive discipline, largely neglected as an experimental science until the early years of this century. A seminal paper by Blakeslee in 1904 provided evidence for self incompatibility, termed "heterothallism", and stimulated interest in studies related to the control of sexual reproduction in fungi by mating-type specificities. Soon to follow was the demonstration that sexually reproducing fungi exhibit Mendelian inheritance and that it was possible to conduct formal genetic analysis with fungi. The names Burgetf, Kniep and Lindegren are all associated with this early period of fungal genet ics research. These studies and the discovery of penicillin by Fleming, who shared a Nobel Prize in 1945, provided further impetus for experimental research with fungi. Thus began a period of interest in mutation induction and analysis of mutants for biochemical traits. Such fundamental research, conducted largely with Neurospora crassa, led to the one gene: one enzyme hypothesis and to a second Nobel Prize for fungal research awarded to Beadle and Tatum in 1958. Fundamental research in biochemical genetics was extended to other fungi, especially to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and by the mid-1960s fungal systems were much favored for studies in eukaryotic molecular biology and were soon able to compete with bacterial systems in the molecular arena.