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BOOKS
Principles of Molecular Virology, 3rd ed.
Alan J. Cann. Academic Press, London, 2001, 339 p., $39.95.
Principles of Molecular Virology by Alan J. Cann provides detailed, comprehensive, and basic information about viruses and the events involved during their life cycle. Different aspects are covered in separate chapters emphasizing the details under separate subheadings. One very interesting approach is the highlight of objectives, with information followed by self-evaluation, which helps the reader gain a total understanding. Of the eight chapters, five are devoted to virus genomes, structure, proteins, and gene expression, chapters 6 and 7 are devoted to pathogenesis and infection, and the last chapter is devoted to subviral agents such as satellites, prions, etc.
Each chapter is divided into topics which describes the events in detail. For instance, the chapter on expression describes not only prokaryotic viruses and the eukaryotic system, but also the gene expression mechanism in all the VII classes of viruses as well as the posttranslational modification. Similarly, the chapters on infection and pathogenesis explain the strategies used by the viruses to infect and induce pathogenesis as well as the host defense mechanisms, classes of cells and molecules involved in host defense, and virus-induced malignancies. Additionally, the author has included color illustrations describing many virus life cycle events, genome maps, and virion structures for most of the virus classes and describes some of the important viruses (such as HIV) in depth. The most interesting part of this book, unlike many molecular virology books which describe only the virology part, is its description of cellular events induced to some extent by the viruses, which guides the reader to the next level. One example is the identification of interferon or cellular factors capable of inhibiting challenge virus infection by the culture supernatant isolated from cells infected with UV-inactivated influenza virus.
In summary, this book presents a complete understanding of virology and its effect on the host for anyone interested in virology as well as a perfect reference book for a virologist. It also includes an extensive glossary and abbreviations section and an excellent appendix (history of virology), describing the hallmark events in virology, which is truly fascinating. Finally, the self-assessment questions and further readings make this an excellent textbook for both undergraduate and, to some extent, graduate-level teaching.
Velpandi Ayyavoo
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pa.Communicable Disease Control Handbook
Jeremy Hawker, Norman Begg, Ian Blair, Ralf Reinjes, and Julius Weinberg. Blackwell Publishers, Inc., Malden, 2001, 362 p., $49.95.
This handbook is of special interest to hospital infection control officers and clinical microbiologists. The introduction explains the book and how to use it. Section 1 covers the basic principles of disease transmission and methods of control. Included is a review of the basic concepts and natural history of epidemiology and infectious disease, in addition to a review of the specific terminology used in clinical epidemiology. The proper sanitation and disinfecting of the environment and patient care items are emphasized repeatedly. Handwashing and the use of universal (standard) precautions are stressed for their primary role in interrupting disease transmission. Also included is a diagram showing the exact procedure for handwashing.
The second section of the book addresses the epidemiology of infectious diseases such as meningitis (bacterial and viral), gastroenteritis, pneumonia, rashes in pregnant women and children, and sexually transmitted diseases. A unique section guides the evaluation of returning travelers' diseases. The types of organisms involved in each syndrome are presented with their distinguishing features and the age groups commonly involved. The authors identify the proper laboratory investigation procedures, including methods of collecting, transport, and storing of specimens for each disease. This is followed by prevention and control measures with practical information for community-based health agencies, and the need for adequate infection control policies in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and nurseries is emphasized. The authors describe the handling of a single case or a cluster of cases with informative tables and graphs providing additional information. Detailed tables and charts for various pathogens and diseases are provided throughout the handbook.
The third section lists pathogens alphabetically, as is reminiscent of most communicable disease handbooks. The format for presenting and discussing each pathogen is similar to the discussion of common diseases in the second section. Of particular interest to hospital and nursing home infection control personnel is the information concerning methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and Clostridium difficile and their impact on hospitalized patients and the intimate environment. The need for using individual or cohort precautions for these pathogens in the hospital is discussed in detail. For a number of diseases, i.e., meningitis, the authors provide additional information on prophylactic treatment of contacts. The sections on HIV and viral hepatitis are extensive, with useful information for different risk groups to prevent transmission and postexposure prophylactic treatment. The book also has a section on less-common epidemiological problems, i.e., helminthes, protozoa, fungi, and rare viruses. The accompanying tables cover all aspects of each disease.
As a sign of the times we live in, the authors include a table of potential bioterrorism agents and toxins. The role of these agents to cause disease, incubation period, and transmission from person to person is outlined along with prophylactic recommendations.
The last sections (4 and 5) are only useful in the European market, since they cover services and organization availability and communicable disease control in Europe and the United Kingdom. I regard this book as an excellent resource for physicians, public health workers, hospital infection control personnel, and clinical microbiologists.
Victor Tucci
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
New Hyde Park, N.Y.Medical Microbiology, 4th ed.
Patrick R. Murray, Ken S. Rosenthal, George S. Kobayashi, and Michael A. Pfaller. Mosby (A Harcourt Health Sciences Company), 2002, 826 p., $54.95.
The new Medical Microbiology by Murray, Rosenthal, Kobayashi, and Pfaller remains a sound text for first- or second-year medical microbiology students. We have recommended use of the third edition for a number of years at our own medical school because of the clearly written text, excellent color figures, and comprehensive coverage of material in all subdisciplines of medical microbiology, i.e., immunological host responses, bacteriology, virology, mycology, and parasitology.
In reviewing the fourth edition, I noted that there are 100 additional pages and at first expected this to reflect yet more information to hurl upon our deluged students. Instead, I was pleased to see that it predominantly was due to larger type, more sharply focused figures, and some coverage of new areas.
Some specific examples are the depiction of spore structures, an additional section on viral vectors for therapy, amplification of a cytokine table (it would have been nice to indicate that the number of interleukins has been expanding and is now twice that listed), and an enhanced list of selected CD-ROMs. Of course, it is virtually impossible to keep up with these latter numbers, as the field is rapidly expanding, so selecting certain CD-ROM makers is a good choice. On p. 256, it is encouraging to see the correction of a carbohydrate capsule for Neisseria meningitidis, but not for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and in the new model on p. 578 of HIV gp120 binding to the chemokine receptor.
However, microbiology is changing so quickly and there probably wasn't time to put in a distinction between Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and its variant. The authors currently should be commended for reediting and updating what is probably the most colorful and fun text to read in medical microbiology. I continue to highly recommend it to all first- and second-year medical students.
Ronald B. Luftig
LSU Medical School
New Orleans, LaMalaria: Poverty, Race and Public Health in the United States
Margaret Humphreys. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2001, 196 p., $41.50 (hardcover).
Margaret Humphreys' new book provides a lively journey through the historical ecology of malaria in the United States, where the disease thrived from early settlement until after the Great Depression. The book's title is misleading. More a history of malaria in the American South than the entire country, it only touches on malaria in the Midwest and largely ignores other regions affected. Viewing malaria from the perspectives of physician, patient, and parasite, it summarizes the biological, social, geographic, economic, and legislative factors that drove the disease from the country.
The book's footing in historical scholarship will occasionally jar the scientific reader. "Pursuing such historical epidemiology," asserts Humphreys early on, "assumes that parasite and disease exist, that they are not mere social constructions of a certain place and time." Reassuringly, she adds, "This book considers it proven that the malaria parasite is spread by the anopheles mosquito, and that it causes malaria."
Humphrey's central three chapters are excellent. Chapter 3 covers associations between malaria, poverty, and the environment. Chapter 4 turns to the public health impacts of the South's changing economy in the 19th and 20th centuries. Chapter 5 looks at the impacts of public works projects—notably wetland and swamp drainage and the construction of hydroelectric dams—on malaria's prevalence and spread.
Early on, Humphreys reveals, "I had once hoped that this research project might result in more than historical narrative, that it might actually bear relevance for the beleaguered international community. . . . But," she says, "the book contains no startling revelations about how to fight malaria." But is this true? Poverty, the environment, the plasmodium, and the mosquito conspire to allow malaria's devastation of individuals and communities. The American South was saved from malaria by a number of factors, among them changes in farm policy that pulled populations away from swampy backwaters and into towns and cities; the world's gains in understanding the biology of the disease; and the increasing use of drugs to, if not cure the disease, lessen its impact.
No single measure saved the American South from malaria. The disease's elimination in the American South was both a cause and effect of regional economic and political stabilization, which allowed the region to make dramatic gains in health over the 20th century and to finally thrive economically. The ongoing defeat of rural poverty has been key.
This slim volume is an entertaining read but not a light one. It will appeal to those interested in public health and in the history of the American South. It would make an excellent topical text for undergraduate- or graduate-level courses in the medical humanities, ethics, or health economics, and despite the author's undervaluing the story's lessons, it should be a "must read" for philanthropists, physicians, and researchers embarking on infectious disease work in economically underdeveloped regions.
Victoria McGovern
Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Research Triangle Park, N.C.Lords of the Harvest
Daniel Charles. Perseus Publishing, Cambridge, Mass., 2001, 314 p., $26.00.
Lords of the Harvest tells a comprehensive story of genetically engineered foods for and about consumers and producers of food. Lords of the Harvest would be of interest to anyone who reads the newspaper and is interested in social, political, technical, and ecological environments. A science background is not necessary to understand the book, because the author explains the science very well. High school or college students who are seriously considering a science or technology associated major should read this book. In fact, I think that it should be on every undergraduate science major's required reading list.
Lords of the Harvest describes the multidimensional aspects of genetically engineered food from the university and industry research labs to the seed companies, food industry, and farmers via big business and government. The author is a skillful storyteller and wonderfully weaves in one tale after another describing isolated and organized events, human interrelationships, places and drama surrounding the saga of "frankenfoods."
In the epilogue, the author asks the question that everyone is asking: "are genetically engineered foods safe to eat? Do they harm the earth's environment?" He then introduces himself as a storyteller whose tale has some answers and opinions concerning these questions embedded in it. He correctly points out that the answers are not always factual or even debatable. For this reason, the book captures the reader's interest from the beginning and continues to unfold with one interesting chapter after another. A cornucopia of events is presented from every possible aspect. Especially interesting is the presentation of the scientist's new role upon the world stage as this profession's relationship to governments, industry, academia and consumer becomes more and more complex.
The author's storytelling skill makes this book enjoyable, informational, and thought provoking. Several themes create patterns that drive the reader's energy forward as effectively as the unreachable carrot tied in front of the lazy horse's face. Creative analogies are used that fire the imagination. For example, at one point in the book genetic innovations are compared to a fashion show complete with runway and models. Underneath the creative storyline lie deep ethical and religious questions as well as international dilemmas like poverty and greed. I would strongly recommend Lords of the Harvest as required reading for undergraduate science majors.
Helen Ochej
National Library of Medicine
Bethesda, Md.
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