Pathogenicity Islands and Other Mobile Virulence Elements

From The Critics

Reviewer: Eugene M. Muller, PhD(Framingham State College)
Description: This is an outstanding discussion of a new concept in bacterial pathogenesis in animals and plants. The techniques of microbial genomics have been used to demonstrate that pathogenesis is often associated with relatively large DNA inserts that contain a set of essential virulence genes. The DNA composition of such a "pathogenicity island" differs from that of the rest of the host chromosome and homologous inserts often found in other pathogens; together, these suggest a common ancestry of some virulence elements.
Purpose: The purpose is to present a diverse overview the ever-expanding body of knowledge regarding this new concept of pathogenesis. Yet in these dynamic times of genomics, the broader concept of "genomic islands" discussed in the introductory chapter will interest all students of microbial evolution.
Audience: The bookis intended for any investigator or student who has an interest in pathogenesis and microbial genomics. Several chapters will benefit advanced students and instructors of graduate-level courses.
Features: The volume contains an introductory and a general methods chapter, then specific chapters on Escherichia, Yersiniae, Salmonella, Shigellae, Vibrio, Helicobacter, Dichelobacter, Listeriae, Bacillus and Clostridia, Staphylococci and Streptococci, Agrobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Conjugative Tranposons. Each chapter includes a brief introduction and discussions of pathogenicity islands in the chosen organism; each is well written, sufficiently illustrated, well supported by current and appropriate references. As a whole, this volume offers a concise, detailed overview of this new concept.
Assessment: I highly recommended this book as an important text for any university or departmental library collection, as well as the personal libraries of individuals who work with microbial genomics. The editors have assembled an outstanding list of contributing authors who are internationally recognized within their respective fields.

Eugene M. Muller

This is an outstanding discussion of a new concept in bacterial pathogenesis in animals and plants. The techniques of microbial genomics have been used to demonstrate that pathogenesis is often associated with relatively large DNA inserts that contain a set of essential virulence genes. The DNA composition of such a "pathogenicity island" differs from that of the rest of the host chromosome and homologous inserts often found in other pathogens; together, these suggest a common ancestry of some virulence elements. The purpose is to present a diverse overview the ever-expanding body of knowledge regarding this new concept of pathogenesis. Yet in these dynamic times of genomics, the broader concept of "genomic islands" discussed in the introductory chapter will interest all students of microbial evolution. The bookis intended for any investigator or student who has an interest in pathogenesis and microbial genomics. Several chapters will benefit advanced students and instructors of graduate-level courses. The volume contains an introductory and a general methods chapter, then specific chapters on Escherichia, Yersiniae, Salmonella, Shigellae, Vibrio, Helicobacter, Dichelobacter, Listeriae, Bacillus and Clostridia, Staphylococci and Streptococci, Agrobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Conjugative Tranposons. Each chapter includes a brief introduction and discussions of pathogenicity islands in the chosen organism; each is well written, sufficiently illustrated, well supported by current and appropriate references. As a whole, this volume offers a concise, detailed overview of this new concept. I highly recommended this book as animportant text for any university or departmental library collection, as well as the personal libraries of individuals who work with microbial genomics. The editors have assembled an outstanding list of contributing authors who are internationally recognized within their respective fields.

Booknews

A collection of recent scientific research on the discovery and characterization of pathogenicity islands from a variety of microbial species. Contributions describe the molecular mechanisms of the evolution of pathogens, including Helicobacter, , and pathogenic , and discuss the parallel development of the evolution of virulence and drug resistance. They address the relation between gene transfer and virulence, describes pathogenicity islands, and explains new methods for identifying virulence determinants. The editors are affiliated with the Center for Vaccine Development and the department of microbiology and immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and with the Institut f<:u>r Molekulare Infektionsbiologie in Germany. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

3 Stars from Doody