What Is Multifocal Pneumonia? Here's What to Know, According to Doctors
pulmonary fibrosis stages :: Article Creator
Featured Post
Infectious: Pathogens and How We Fight Them - Volume 29 ... - CDC
John S. Tregoning, PhD
Oneworld Publications, New York, New York, 2021 ISBN13: 9780861541225; Pages: 384; Price: US $25.95 (hardcover), $30.62 (audiobook: Dreamscape Media, LLC; Mike Cooper, narrator; 9 h, 35 min)
Figure
Figure. Infectious: Pathogens and How We Fight Them
Infectious disease outbreaks can have profound societal ramifications (1), as underscored by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (2). Infectious: Pathogens and How We Fight Them, by John S. Tregoning, celebrates the research dedicated to understanding and controlling harmful microbes (Figure). An immunologist at Imperial College, London, Tregoning writes an accessible, authoritative primer, covering such topics as microbiology, epidemiology, and therapeutic solutions. He describes advances in techniques for identifying etiologic agents that have influenced scientific approaches to controlling, preventing, and even eliminating pathogens. He acknowledges pioneers such as Linnaeus and Gram and their work in categorizing organisms and differentiating bacteria (3). He also sheds light on the subject of pathogen–host interactions and genetic change: "Most mutations lead to nonsense… a minuscule number… [help] pathogens escape from the immune response and adapt to drugs."
The book provides readers a succinct description of innate and adaptive immunity, including how specific immune memory occurs when adaptive cells recognize, for example, a SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein. Tregoning reviews how antibodies and T and B cells orchestrate immune responses and discusses how lifelong immunity can occur after recovery from certain diseases, such as measles. He shares a moving tribute to Brigitte Askonas for her contributions to our understanding of immune memory, made after she was forced to leave her homeland in 1938 because of her Jewish heritage. Tregoning also emphasizes that science thrives with diversity and inclusion, acknowledging trailblazers such as Alice Ball, an African American, for the first treatment of leprosy, and Tu Youyou, the Chinese Nobel laureate, for her discovery of artemisinin, an antimalarial drug.
Tregoning convincingly explains why accurate diagnosis is crucial to epidemiologic investigations and therapeutic interventions. He provides examples of how causes of mysterious illnesses were determined, including Chlamydia psittaci–associated pneumonia among US sailors in 1929 and recent clusters of SARS-CoV-2 infections transmitted by asymptomatic persons. His optimistic assumption that we will continue to prevail against pathogenic microbes is bolstered by descriptions of breakthroughs in research on antimicrobials, smallpox, malaria, and COVID-19. He offers upbeat predictions of future advances, such as elucidation of the host-specific response to infections and using artificial intelligence to detect outbreaks. The author's bright outlook is, nonetheless, tempered by recognition of undesirable consequences of inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs.
Discussions of the threatening aspects of pathogens are countered by humorous observations and heartfelt vignettes. Tregoning jokingly describes Félix d'Hérelle's "rather striking beard/moustache combo" in one moment and later describes crying uncontrollably after his son's recovery from respiratory syncytial virus. Regarding how Barry Marshall identified the cause of gastric ulcers, he notes: "[He] proved the link by deliberately infecting himself with Helicobacter pylori, giving himself an ulcer and a Nobel Prize."
The book's focus on "ologies" and therapeutics does not fully address social drivers of pathogens or grapple with barriers to science-based interventions (5). Tregoning also missed an opportunity to emphasize the need for strengthening the global mechanism for outbreak reporting and an enhanced integrated One Health approach to evolving threats (6,7).
Infectious will appeal to diverse audiences including biomedical trainees and policy makers because it transforms the discussion about harmful microbes into an engaging narrative. The book is an enjoyable and enlightening celebration of humanity's achievements in the unending struggle with pathogens. Delivered with clarity, the book's audio version is rewarding.
Popular Posts
Preventing, controlling spread of animal diseases focus of forum at Penn State - Pennsylvania State University
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in poultry in 2014-15 resulted in the destruction of more than 50 million chickens and turkeys in the U.S., causing billions of dollars in economic loss. This animal disease outbreak — the worst in U.S. history — is one example of how devastating a foreign animal disease can be to animal agriculture and the country's economy. The resurgence of avian influenza in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, is once again bringing the importance of preventing animal diseases to the forefront, noted Suresh Kuchipudi, clinical professor of microbiology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Exploring the emergence, spread and control of animal infectious diseases such as avian influenza was the focus of the inaugural Emerging Animal Infectious Disease Conference held Nov. 29-Dec.1, 2021, at Penn State. It was hosted by the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of A
Model Monday's: Diana Moldovan
dented can botulism :: Article Creator Three Canadians Sickened In France's Botulism Outbreak Are From Quebec: PHAC The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed that the three Canadians who fell ill in a botulism outbreak in France are from Quebec. They're among at least 12 people who have suspected botulism after eating sardines prepared and served at Tchin Tchin Wine Bar in Bordeaux, France. The food was eaten between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10. The Associated Press has reported that some patients have been released from hospital, but most of them are in intensive care or critical condition. Canada's public health agency says it cannot divulge the condition of the patients from Quebec because it is considered private health information. Other tourists from the U.S., Ireland, Germany and Spain were among those sickened. One patient, who was not from Canada, has died. France's public health agency is leading the investigation
“Live Coronavirus Map Used to Spread Malware - Krebs on Security” plus 1 more
“Live Coronavirus Map Used to Spread Malware - Krebs on Security” plus 1 more Live Coronavirus Map Used to Spread Malware - Krebs on Security Posted: 12 Mar 2020 05:12 PM PDT Cybercriminals constantly latch on to news items that captivate the public's attention, but usually they do so by sensationalizing the topic or spreading misinformation about it. Recently, however, cybercrooks have started disseminating real-time, accurate information about global infection rates tied to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to infect computers with malicious software. A recent snapshot of the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus data map, available at coronavirus.jhu.edu. In one scheme, an interactive dashboard of Coronavirus infections and deaths produced by Johns Hopkins University is being used in malicious Web sites (and possibly spam emails) to spread password-stealing malware. Late last month, a member of several Russian language cybercr
Comments
Post a Comment