Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers / Edition 1

by Sunit K. Singh, Daniel Ruzek

Overview

Viral hemorrhagic fevers have captured the imagination of the public and made their way into popular books and movies by virtue of their extreme virulence and mysterious origins. Since 2001, concerns have grown about the potential use of many hemorrhagic fever viruses as biological weapons. This has led to a resurgence in research to develop improved diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics—both for biodefense purposes and to treat naturally exposed persons. Written by international experts, Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers represents a major contribution to the virological literature and updates the state of knowledge of these dangerous illnesses.

Topics include:

• A historical perspective and information on pathogenesis and immune responses



• Animal models, which are critical to the development of vaccines and therapeutics



• The roles of high-containment facilities and specially trained scientists in research



• Prevention and control, including diagnostics and vaccine development



• Old World Lassa and Lujo viruses and the New World Junin and Machupo viruses



• Guanarito viruses and their cellular receptors



• Bunyaviruses, including Rift Valley Fever, Crimean– Congo hemorrhagic fever, and hantaviruses that cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome



• The Ebola and Marburg filoviruses



• Flaviviruses, including dengue fever, yellow fever, Kyanasur Forest, Alkhurma, and Omsk hemorrhagic fever viruses and other flaviviruses with hemorrhagic potential

Virologists, clinicians, biomedical researchers, microbiologists, and others needing a rapid overview of the nature of these illnesses will find this book an essential resource on clinical and basic science aspects of many viral hemorrhagic fevers. The book will also provide researchers with a springboard to further inquiry in combating what has become a major global threat.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439884294
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/18/2013
Pages:	596
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Dr. Sunit K. Singh is a scientist and leads a research group in the area of neurovirology and inflammation biology at the prestigious Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India. His main areas of research interest are emerging and re-emerging viral infections, neurovirology, inflammation biology, and immunology. Dr. Singh has received several awards, including the Skinner Memorial Award, Travel Grant Awards, NIH-Fogarty Fellowship, and Young Scientist Award. He is associated with several international journals of repute as an associate editor and editorial board member.

Dr. Daniel Růžek is a head of the Department of Virology and head of the Research Group on Emerging Viral Infections at the Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic; a research scientist at the Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; and an assistant professor in the University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. His primary field is virology with a research emphasis on vector-borne viruses, especially tick-borne encephalitis virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus, dengue virus, and West Nile virus. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious international Sinnecker–Kunz Award for young researchers.

Table of Contents

General Aspects. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers: History and Definitions. General Disease Pathology in Filoviral and Arenaviral Infections. Interaction of the Host Immune System with Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses. Vascular Endothelium and Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses. Vascular Endothelial Dysfunctions: Viral Attack and Immunological Defense. Animal Models of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. Role of Rodents and Bats in Human Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. Biosafety Issues and Clinical Management of Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Infections. BSL4 Workforce Preparedness in Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreaks. Major Strategies for Prevention and Control of the Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. Practical Considerations for Collection and Transportation of Hemorrhagic Fever Samples. Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. Vaccine Research Efforts for Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses. Specific Infections. Pathogenic Old World Arenaviruses. Lassa Fever. Lujo Virus Hemorrhagic Fever. Receptor Determinants of Zoonosis and Pathogenesis of New World Hemorrhagic Fever Arenaviruses. Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever. Bolivian Hemorrhagic Fever. "Venezuelan" Hemorrhagic Fever. Rift Valley Fever Virus and Hemorrhagic Fever. Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus. Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome. Infection. Marburg Virus Disease. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever. Yellow Fever Virus Infection. Kyasanur Forest Disease. Alkhurma Virus Hemorrhagic Fever. Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Sharon Medcalf, Ph.D.(University of Nebraska Medical Center)
Description: This comprehensive book on infections caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses covers general topics, such as detailed overviews of pathology, laboratory biosafety, clinical management, and outbreak prevention and control, as well as more specific information such as in-depth scientific background for clinicians and researchers to make sound clinical decisions or to explore research topics.
Purpose: The editors state that the purpose is to provide a "rapid overview" of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) viruses and the clinical implications in human hosts, particularly from a clinical perspective. The breadth and depth of knowledge about VHF viruses warrants this consolidation of information into one book.
Audience: The preface indicates that the book is aimed at healthcare workers, clinicians, researchers, laboratory workers, and medical/biology students. The logical progression from general to specific content lends itself well to this audience, but it lacks the student-oriented resources such as discussion questions and case studies, which can be valuable for instructors.
Features: The organization from general to specific information is pedagogically sound. The book covers both the general aspects of the viruses and subsequent infections and the more specific aspects of individual VHF viruses. The general aspects include clinical information about the care and isolation of infected patients in the healthcare setting and the collection and handling of clinical specimens in the laboratory setting. The specific parts focus on the individual VHF virus features. Extensive use of current references gives credence to the material. Visual graphics provide added insight and clarity for more complex biological explanations. However, some chapters contain poorly structured sentences, which is disconcerting, and, occasionally, the authors engage in speculation without any literature references to substantiate position statements.
Assessment: There is a definite need for a comprehensive consolidation of material on VHF viruses, especially in light of an elevated level of concern globally for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. This book fills that need. Although I have a few concerns about the overall quality of the writing in a few chapters, I can appreciate that styles may differ given the number of contributing authors. I would not consider the book to be a "rapid overview" as the editors describe it, but a comprehensive and rather complex textbook. As a result, the audience may be limited to advanced practice clinicians and more seasoned researchers.

Doody's Review Service