New Volume In Emerging Infections Series

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS;  Tropical Diseases
Article Date: 06 Dec 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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ASM Press announces publication of the latest volume in its popular series on new and emerging infectious diseases. Based on sessions at recent scientific conferences, Emerging Infections 8 offers up-to-date information and the most current research on new and emerging infections that have generated international interest.

"Despite progress in the prevention and control of infectious diseases during the past several decades, the early years of the 21st century provide continued evidence of the persistence and tenacity of infectious disease threats. The emergence and rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the widespread geographic diffusion of West Nile virus since its introduction into the Western Hemisphere and Chikungunya virus from East Africa to islands in the Indian Ocean to India and then to Italy, and the stepped-up preparations for a seemingly imminent influenza pandemic provide dramatic evidence of the continued ability of microbes to emerge, spread, adapt, and challenge the global community," says Michael Scheld of the University of Virginia Health system who co-edited the book with Scott Hammer of Columbia University and James Hughes of Emory University.

Emerging Infections 8 is based on scientific sessions held at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) - the annual infectious diseases meeting held by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) - and the Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Since 1995, the program committees of these meetings have organized sessions on new and emerging pathogens. These sessions are designed to address the spectrum of new and emerging bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites of recognized or potential scientific and public health importance, with discussions of strategies for their prevention and control.

The chapters in Emerging Infections 8 are derived from recent sessions and focus on a range of infections that pose challenges for the clinical, laboratory, research, and public health communities. Some of these are newly recognized diseases, whereas others are previously known pathogens presenting new challenges. Some are described as domestic threats, whereas others affect populations elsewhere.

This latest volume offers an updated review of new and emerging pathogens and infectious diseases, including novel non-SARS coronaviruses, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, pertussis, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, and many others. The editors are experts in their respective fields of research and are active in the scientific and clinical communities that deal with emerging pathogens.

"The Emerging Infections series is a valuable resource for a wide range of people working in microbiology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, public health, and clinical medicine," says Scheld.

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Emerging Infections 8 has a list price of $139.95 and can be purchased through ASM Press online at http://estore.asm.org or through other online retailers.

ASM Press is the book publishing arm of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the oldest and largest single life science membership organization in the world. The ASM's mission is to promote research in the microbiological sciences and to assist communication between scientists, policy makers, and the public to improve health and foster economic well-being.

Source: Jim Sliwa
American Society for Microbiology

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