Biodefense: Principles and Pathogens

The anthrax attacks by bioterrorists in the USA in October 2001 served to highlight our vulnerability to biological warfare and to act as an impetus for a massive increase in funding for biodefense research.

In this timely book, top biodefense experts critically review every aspect of this complex issue. The microbiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, epidemiology, infection control and novel therapeutics for all the key pathogens involved are comprehensively covered. Biodefense is currently focused on anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, botulism and viral hemorrhagic fevers and entire chapters are devoted to each of these topics. Further chapters cover the bioterrorism threat from other diseases including brucellosis, glanders, melioidosis, psittacosis, Q fever, typhoid, gastroenteritis and cryptosporidiosis. Biological toxins derived from living organisms, such as the epsilon toxin derived from Clostridium perfringens, mycotoxins and plant-derived toxins such as ricin are also reviewed in detail. Two fascinating chapters are devoted to agroterrorism, the use of infectious agents that target animals and plants to decimate the food supply. Additional chapters cover emerging pathogens and novel bio-engineered agents that could be used in bioterrorism. The book also covers hospital preparedness, infection control, psychosocial issues, and the evolving methods for surveillance and detection in biodefence.

Bronze and Greenfield, both affiliated with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, review every aspect of biodefense risks, research, and strategies. Coverage encompasses the microbiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, epidemiology, infection control, and novel therapeutics for all key pathogens. Chapters cover six key pathogens, as well as the bioterrorism threat from many other diseases. Biological toxins derived from living organisms are also reviewed in detail. Two chapters are devoted to agroterrorism, and there is ample material on emerging pathogens and novel bioengineered agents that could be used in bioterrorism. Hospital preparedness, infection control, psychosocial issues, and methods for surveillance and detection are also examined. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Anne L. O'Keefe, MD, MPH(Douglas County NE Health Department)
Description:This edited book provides a scholarly overview of topics such as public health preparedness, community medical response planning, and recognition and management of diseases affecting humans, animals, and plants.
Purpose:The book provides practical information about which public health decision-makers and community medical response planners must be knowledgeable. Contributors include state public health officials, graduate public health professors, and academic human medical, veterinary, and agricultural researchers.
Audience:Local and state public health officials, hospital administrators, and others responsible for community medical and psychosocial response planning would benefit greatly by understanding the topics presented. Students who desire to pursue careers in public health and community medical response planning and anyone who desires a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding planning for a public health emergency will find it useful and interesting.
Features:The first part of the book focuses on general issues in public health preparedness on a community level, focusing on public health policy and legal issues, hospital preparedness, surveillance and detection, and psychosocial issues. Of particular interest is a detailed discussion of a hypothetical biological attack scenario. The second and largest part provides clinical overviews of CDC categories A, B, and C biological agents affecting humans. The final section on agroterrorism focuses on agents affecting animals and crops.
Assessment:This book can be added to a growing list of references on biological weapons published since the terrorism attacks on the United States in 2001. It adds a unique state and local perspective on planning that must be accomplished by public health agencies and community medical responders to prepare for a biological attack or other public health emergency.