Bacillus anthracis and Anthrax

The study of Bacillus Anthracis remains at the forefront of microbiology research because of its potential use as a bioterror agent and its role in shaping our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis and innate immunity. Bacillus Anthracis and Anthrax provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of the organism, ranging from basic biology to public health issues associated with anthrax. This book will be a premier reference for B. Anthracis and anthrax to microbiologists, medical and public health professionals, bioterror research and preparedness, immunologists, and physiologists. Preface.

Contributors.

1. Anthrax from 5000 BC to AD 2010 (Peter C. B. Turnbull and Sean V. Shadomy).

2. Outer Structures of the Bacillus anthracis Spore (Adam Driks and Michael Mallozzi).

3. Anthrax Spore Germination (Nathan Fisher, Katherine A. Carr, Jonathan D. Giebel, and Philip C. Hanna).

4. Genetic Manipulation Methods in Bacillus anthracis (Brian K. Janes and Scott Stibitz).

5. The Bacillus anthracis Genome (Timothy D. Read).

6. Bacillus anthracis Plasmids: Species Definition or Niche Adaptation? (David A. Rasko).

7. Iron Acquisition by Bacillus anthracis (Gleb Pishchany and Eric P. Skaar).

8. Anthrax Toxins (Mahtab Moayeri and Stephen H. Leppla).

9. Bacillus anthracis Virulence Gene Regulation (Jason M. Rall and Theresa M. Koehler).

10. The Interactions between Bacillus anthracis and Macrophages (Susan L. Welkos, Joel A. Bozue, and Christopher K. Cote).

11. Bacillus anthracis and Dendritic Cells: A Complicated Battle (Jean-Nicolas Tournier and Anne Quesnel-Hellmann).

12. Bacillus anthracis Dissemination through Hosts (Ian J. Glomski).

13. Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Anthrax in Humans (Jeannette Guarner and Carlos del Rio).

14. Anthrax Vaccines (Elke Saile and Conrad P. Quinn).

15. Anthrax as a Weapon of War and Terrorism (Leonard A. Cole).

Index.

"Otherwise, presentation is good, and the running heads that allow navigation within chapters are helpful." (Society for General Microbiology, 25 May 2011)

"Microbiologists, pathologists, and other biological researchers provide a reference on the pathogen and its disease that incorporates the new information and understandings provided by such innovations as gene sequencing, improved animal models, and efficient methods for genetic manipulation; all backed by the massive funding and accelerated research associated with The global war on terror after the still-unsolved anthrax attack on opposition politicians in 2001. Their topics include the outer structure of the Bacillus anthracis spore, the genome, iron acquisition by the bacteria, anthrax toxins, interactions with macrophages, dissemination through hosts, vaccines, and anthrax as a weapon of war and terrorism." (Reference and Research Book News, February 2011)

Dr. Bergman is an assistant?professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biology. He also serves as a Senior Research Scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Dr. Bergman's current research areas involve medical microbiology, host-pathogen interactions, anthrax, bacterial gene regulation and genomics.

The premier reference on B. anthracis and anthrax for scientists and health professionals

Bacillus anthracis has played a major role in shaping our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis and innate immunity. Due to its potential use as a bioterror agent, it remains at the forefront of microbiology research. To combat this possible danger, scientists are interested in identifying and understanding the ways in which B. anthracis adapts its gene expression and basic physiology to the local environment, particularly during infection. Bacillus anthracis and Anthrax provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of the organism, ranging from basic biology to public health issues associated with anthrax.

Bringing together a comprehensive collection of reviews on this important research subject, the book covers:

• Historical perspective—B. anthracis and its impact on humans throughout history
• Basic biology of B. anthracis, including life cycle, differentiation, and cellular structure
• B. anthracis genomics, including phylogeny and evolution
• B. anthracis pathogenesis, including toxins, capsule, and other virulence factors
• Interaction of B. anthracis with the immune system
• Anthrax, including clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of the different forms of human anthrax, as well as a review of animal models of anthrax and their use in research
• Epidemiology of anthrax in both animals and humans, and the ecology of B. anthracis within the environment
• Prevention of anthrax—vaccines, anti-toxin therapies, and other strategies
• B. anthracis as a bioterror agent—history, current threat, and countermeasures

Comprised of fifteen chapters, the book reports on all major aspects of anthrax biology, such as basic biology and pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention of anthrax, and biological issues. It discusses systems-level techniques as well as traditional biochemical and genetic tools, a multi-level approach that helps define both global trends and the individual roles that key proteins play in allowing the bacterium to rapidly adjust to its surroundings.

Bacillus anthracis and Anthrax is geared toward microbiologists, medical professionals, public health professionals, bioinformaticists, immunologists, physiologists, and bioterror research and preparedness. Its appeal also extends beyond the basic science community into medicine, public health, and public policy.