The following is an excerpt from a recent book review of
Acanthamoeba: Biology and Pathogenesis"If you are interested in Acanthamoeba species, then this is the book to turn to. Kahn explores every aspect of this protozoan genus ... The thoroughness of the book is complemented by its logical organization with discrete sections that provide information on the organism's biology, life cycle, infectious nature and mode of action, the host immune response that it provokes and the therapeutic strategies that are available to us." from Roger Pickup, Lancaster University, UK writing in
Microbiology Today (2009) read more ...Labels: Acanthamoeba, book review, books
This excellent book provides the first comprehensive review of
Acanthamoeba, with particular emphasis on its biology and pathogenesis. ... This outstanding book presents the current state of research on every aspect of this organism, detailing major advances ... This excellent compilation will serve as an essential reference for parasitologists, microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians ... as well as an invaluable reference for new and experienced researchers who wish to better understand this fascinating organism. This book is the definitive guide to current research on this increasingly important organism. ... This excellent book would be also an indispensable acquisition for every institutional library ... will be in demand for many, many years.
from Zdzislaw Swiderski, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
in Acta Parasitologica 2009 54(3): 288
Further reading:
Acanthamoeba: Biology and PathogenesisLabels: Acanthamoeba, book review, books, parasitology books
"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)"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: 16Read more at:
Acanthamoeba: Biology and PathogenesisLabels: Acanthamoeba, book review
from Fiona L. Henriquez (University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK)
writing in Parasites and Vectors (2009) 2: 16 There is an increasing interest and awareness of the free-living amoeba,
Acanthamoeba, over recent years as an opportunistic pathogen of medical importance. The publication of this book is a timely reflection of this current situation. The author is to be congratulated on the provision of such a comprehensive review of the literature concerning all aspects of
Acanthamoeba research. The intention of the author was to provide an essential reference for researchers of infectious diseases. This is achieved and in addition, this book should also be beneficial to students at the university level with a specific interest in microbiology.
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, but the literature is constantly progressing rapidly and new information is arising about this, until recently, understudied organism.
Further reading:
Acanthamoeba: Biology and PathogenesisLabels: Acanthamoeba, amoeba, Amoebiasis, book review, books, free-living amoeba, opportunistic pathogen, parasites
Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoan that is widely distributed in the environment.
Acanthamoeba has two stages in its life cycle, an active trophozoite stage during which
Acanthamoeba reproduces, and a dormant cyst stage during which
Acanthamoeba remains inactive with little metabolic activity, but viable, for years. During the last few decades,
Acanthamoeba has become increasingly appreciated as an important microbe and now well-recognized to produce serious human infections, including a vision-threatening keratitis (called
Acanthamoeba keratitis) and a rare but fatal encephalitis, known as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Initially the term "granulomatous amoebic encephalitis" was coined specifically to describe brain infection due to
Acanthamoeba. However, with the discovery of a number of amoebae that can produce granulomatous encephalitis, including
Acanthamoeba,
Balamuthia mandrillaris,
Sappinia diploidea, and perhaps other unidentified amoebae, it is necessary to differentiate the disease according to its causative agent. "Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to
Acanthamoeba" can be referred to as "
Acanthamoeba granulomatous encephalitis".
The true burden of keratitis and encephalitis due to
Acanthamoeba on the human health is not known. Furthermore, the pathogenesis and pathophysiology associated with
Acanthamoeba infections, as well as the molecular identification of virulence traits of
Acanthamoeba, which may be potential targets for therapeutic interventions and/or the development of preventative measures remain incompletely understood. In recent years, there has been a tremendous interest in this pathogen by the scientific and the medical community. This is due to (i) an increasing number of
Acanthamoeba infections, associated with a rise in the number of immunocompromised individuals and contact lens wearers, (ii) the potential role in ecosystems, and (iii) the ability to act as a host or reservoir for microbial pathogens, including viruses, prokaryotes, other protozoa and fungi.
from Naveed Khan
in Acanthamoeba: Biology and PathogenesisSee also:
Acanthamoeba pictures, illustrations and figuresLabels: Acanthamoeba, amoeba, protozoa