Details

</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>At A Glance</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Microbial transmission, the processes by which microbes transit to new environments, is a significant and broad-reaching concept with applications throughout the biological sciences. This collection of reviews, edited by an international team of experts studying and working across a range of disciplines, explores transmission not just as an idea in disease but as a fundamental biological process that acts in all domains of nature and exerts its force on disparate size scales, from the micro to the macro, and across units of time as divergent as a single bacterial replication cycle and the entire course of evolution.</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Description</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>This multi-authored book is a compilation of reviews of various aspects of microbial transmission, inspired and partially based on the 26th International Scientific Symposium "Transmission" in 2015.</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Purpose</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Although not explicitly stated, this book aims to highlight transmission as a key attribute of microbial life worthy of detailed understanding and further research. Readers who are already seriously interested in microbial transmission should welcome this unique book dedicated to reviews of select transmission topics.</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Audience</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>The targeted audience appears to be those who take a special interest in studying the science of microbial transmission, whether microbiologists, public health professionals, infectious disease specialists, or others who just find the subject intriguing and fascinating. Many of the authors and contributors are recognized authorities in the field.</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Features</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>This book begins with a chapter exploring the origin, history, and meanings of the word transmission, followed by four major sections that cover the basic process of transmission, scenario of transmission, patient-to-patient transmission, and experimental and theoretical modes of transmission. Although parts of description of the biology of conjugative plasmid transmission may seem highly technical, the authors also nicely explain the application of this knowledge to devising potential strategies that could artificially inhibit conjugation and transmission of important pathogenic genes. For example, after describing the details of necessary steps in the horizontal transmission of genes through conjugation, they discuss the potential inhibition of conjugation by readily available compounds such as chlorpromazine. The discussion of various modes of microbial transmission, such as from food or insects to humans, is particularly informative. Although transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from food-producing animals to humans is well known, the interplay between bacteria and the food matrix (e.g., peanut butter and salmonellosis) highlighted in the book may not be. The section on patient-to-patient transmission of pathogens appropriately covers the biology of hand-to-hand bacterial transmission, while exploring tuberculosis and Ebola transmission and preventive strategies, including the development of promising vaccines. The section on experimental and theoretical modes of transmission discusses topics ranging from conventional mathematical models of disease transmission to a somewhat esoteric use of German cockroach (Blatella germanica) in an experimental model for transmission of antibiotic-resistant organisms to humans. Despite the technical aspects of several chapters, related concepts are explained in clear and easily understandable terms. Few caveats are worthy of mention. As with many books, the inherent delay between authors' contributions and eventual book publication makes it imperative for readers to ensure that the information remains current. In addition, certain important aspects of microbial transmission seem to have been largely overlooked. For example, the increasingly important role of patient environment in the transmission of multidrug resistant organisms in healthcare facilities is not discussed in any detail. Similarly, the phenomenon of translocation of organisms from the host GI tract to other parts of the body, particularly in immunocompromised hosts, does not receive due attention. The potential importance of trehalose — a "natural food additive" — in the causation of Clostridium difficile disease due to epidemic strains also might have been discussed in the context of the interplay between potential pathogens and the food matrix.</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Assessment</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Understanding the complexities of microbial transmission is key to devising creative strategies for combating infectious diseases. Although not a comprehensive treatise, this book provides foundational knowledge necessary for deeper understanding and advancing the science of microbial transmission.</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Review Questionnaire</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>Range /Question /Score</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 8</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 8</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 2</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 3</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 4</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 4</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 2</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 4</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 2</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 8</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? N/A</span> <p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-CA>-Farrin Manian, MD, MPH</span></b><span lang=EN-CA>(Massachusetts General Hospital)</span> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA>

<p><b>Microbial Transmission</b> <p>First Edition <p>Microbial transmission, the processes by which microbes transit to new environments, is a significant and broad-reaching concept with applications throughout the biological sciences. This collection of reviews, edited by an international team of experts studying and working across a range of disciplines, explores transmission not just as an idea in disease but as a fundamental biological process that acts in all domains of nature and exerts its force on disparate size scales, from the micro to the macro, and across units of time as divergent as a single bacterial replication cycle and the entire course of evolution. <p>In five sections, this overview <ul> <li>Defines the concept of transmission and covers basic processes of transmission, including causality, control strategies, fitness costs, virulence, and selection</li> <li>Presents numerous combinations of transmission scenarios across the bacterial, animal, and human interface</li> <li>Examines transmission as the defining characteristic of infectious disease</li> <li>Presents methods for experimentally verifying and quantifying transmission episodes</li> <li>Concludes with important theoretical and modeling approaches</li> </ul> <p>Anyone studying or working in microbial colonization, evolution, pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, or public health will benefit from a deeper understanding of Microbial Transmission.

US