current microbiology books

Acanthamoeba: Biology and Pathogenesis | Book     Acanthamoeba book

Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Author: Naveed Khan University of Nottingham, UK
Publication date: February 2009 Available now!
ISBN: 978-1-904455-43-1
Price: GB £150 or US $310 (hardback).
Pages: viii + 290

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This book provides the first comprehensive review of Acanthamoeba research to be published. Everything that is known about Acanthamoeba is critically reviewed and divided into easy-to-follow sections. This book presents the current state of research on every aspect of this organism, detailing major advances in areas such as genomics, molecular and cellular biology, life cycles, geographical distribution, role in ecosystem, morphology, motility, phylogenetics, genotyping, metabolism, regulation of morphogenesis, host-parasite interactions, the molecular and immunological basis of pathogenesis, methods of transmission, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, new target development and drug resistance, as well as its role as a Trojan horse of the microbial world, including viral, bacterial, protozoal and fungal pathogens, and much more. There is a significant emphasis on our knowledge of Acanthamoeba infections that has grown in the molecular era. In addition, this book provides a historical perspective on Acanthamoeba research that will be of considerable interest.

This compilation will serve as an essential reference for parasitologists, microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians in the field of basic and medical microbiology, as well as an invaluable reference for new and experienced researchers who wish to understand this organism better. This book is the definitive guide to current research on this increasingly important organism.

Reviews:

"a comprehensive review of the literature concerning all aspects of Acanthamoeba research ... This book is certainly a 'must read' for all scientists interested in medical and environmental microbiology. It is a very convincing overview and foundation of what is already known about Acanthamoeba" from Parasites and Vectors (2009) 2: 16

"comprehensive review ... contains a wealth of information about the Acanthamoeba organism. It has good illustrations that would be helpful for both teaching and lecturing to a scientific audience." from Doodys Reviews (2009)

Section A: Biology and Phylogeny

  1. Introduction
  2. Discovery of Acanthamoeba spp.
  3. Ecology
  4. Ecosystem
  5. Cell biology
  6. Nuclear genome
  7. Mitochondrial genome
  8. Motility
  9. Molecular basis of motility
  10. Acanthamoeba actin
  11. Acanthamoeba myosin

Section B: Life cycle and Genotyping

  1. Life cycle
  2. What is the best stage in Acanthamoeba cell division to induce encystation?
  3. Encystation
  4. Regulators of life cycle
  5. What stimulates encystation?
  6. Feeding
  7. Metabolism
  8. Acanthamoeba is a heterotroph (chemo-organotroph)
  9. Isolation of Acanthamoeba from the environmental samples
  10. Methods of encystation
  11. Storage
  12. Determination of the viability of trophozoites and cysts
  13. Speciation and genotyping

Section C: Acanthamoeba infections

  1. Human infections
  2. Acanthamoeba keratitis
  3. Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis
  4. Cutaneous Acanthamebiasis

Section D: Pathogenesis

  1. Acanthamoeba keratitis
  2. Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to Acanthamoeba
  3. An opportunist with pathogenic potential
  4. Crossing the biological barriers
  5. Cornea
  6. Traversal of the blood-brain barrier
  7. Direct virulence factors
  8. Contact-dependent mechanisms
  9. Contact-independent mechanisms
  10. Indirect virulence factors

Section E: Immune response

  1. Non-specific immune system
  2. Specific immune system
  3. What are the basic types of parasite immune evasion strategies
  4. Immune response in Acanthamoeba infections
  5. Effect of immune suppressive component in marijuana, cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to Acanthamoeba

Section F: Strategies against Acanthamoeba infections

  1. Chemotherapeutic agents and Acanthamoeba
  2. Membrane-acting agents
  3. Inhibitors of DNA synthesis and polyamine metabolism
  4. RNA synthesis inhibitors
  5. Protein synthesis inhibitors
  6. Tricyclic neuroleptic agents (calmodulin inhibition)
  7. Artesunate
  8. Antimicrobial compounds from natural products
  9. Drug resistance in Acanthamoeba
  10. Disinfectants and Acanthamoeba
  11. Future prospects for treatment

Section G: Acanthamoeba: Trojan horse of the microbial world

  1. A host for viruses
  2. A host for yeast
  3. A host for protozoa
  4. Acanthamoeba and bacteria interactions

Section H: Conclusions and Future studies

  1. A model organism
  2. New approaches in the study of Acanthamoeba
  3. Future research

Section I: Bibliography

How to buy this book

(EAN: 9781904455431 Subjects: [microbiology] [medical microbiology] [molecular biology])