Anthrax

✍ Scribed by P. C. B. Turnbull (auth.), Theresa M. Koehler Ph.D. (eds.)

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 175
• Series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology 271
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax in all mammals, including humans. Depending upon the route of entry of B. anthracis spores, infection can result in cutaneous lesions, which are readily treatable with antibiotics, or systemic lethal disease, which is nearly always fatal. The continuing worldwide incidence of anthrax in animal populations, the risk of human infection associated with animal outbreaks, and the threat of use of B. anthracis as a biological weapon warrant continued investigation of this organisms and its virulence mechanims. Furthermore, B. anthracis is an excellent model system for inverstigation of virulence gene expression by bacteria.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages I-IX
Introduction: Anthrax History, Disease and Ecology....Pages 1-19
Bacillus anthracis Evolution and Epidemiology....Pages 21-32
Anthrax Vaccines....Pages 33-60
Structure and Function of Anthrax Toxin....Pages 61-85
Bacillus anthracis Cell Envelope Components....Pages 87-113
Macrophage Interactions....Pages 115-141
Bacillus anthracis Genetics and Virulence Gene Regulation....Pages 143-164
Back Matter....Pages 165-172

✦ Subjects

Medical Microbiology; Infectious Diseases; Immunology