Pathogenic fungi are widely distributed and can infect many organisms, particularly humans, but also other vertebrates and insects. Due to a growing number of fungal infections, there is an increasing need to understand the interaction of pathogenic fungi with their hosts. This second completely updated and revised edition of Volume VI of The Mycota consists of state of the art reviews written by experts in the field, covering three major areas of this rapidly developing field. In the first part the current understanding of pathogenic fungi and the physiological reactions relevant for the pathogen - host interaction are elucidated. The second part describes novel technologies for the identification of proteins, virulence factors and mechanisms central to the host - pathogen interaction. The third part deals with the characterization of the host response towards pathogenic fungi and addresses timely clinical aspects.
Advances in Genetics provides the latest information on the rapidly evolving field of genetics, presenting new medical breakthroughs that are occurring as a result of advances in our knowledge of the topic. The book continually publishes important reviews of the broadest interest to geneticists and their colleagues in affiliated disciplines, critically analyzing future directions, This thematic volume focuses on the advances and the future potential of the rapidly growing field of entomopathogenic fungi. With a focus on the genetics and molecular biology behind the progress, techniques developed to study all aspects of these fungi will be highlighted, and topics will span from systematics of fungi to how a fungus infects an insect and how that insect responds. - Critically analyzes future directions for the study of clinical genetics - Written and edited by recognized leaders in the field - Presents new medical breakthroughs that are occurring as a result of advances in our knowledge of genetics
Of the nearly one million known species of insects, about 15,000 species are considered pests and about 300 require some form of control. Fortunately, most insect pests have pathogenic microorganisms associated with them. There are two aspects of economic problems caused by insects.One concerns the loss of production that results from damage to crops and to the health of human and domestic animals, the other concerns the cost of attempt to prevent or control such production loses. At the same time with increasing agriculture, insects become more and more important competitors of human food damaging or even destroyingthe crops. Mosquitoes and black flies are a constant threat to health and comfort, yet the chemical pesticides used to control them have created serious ecological problems. Environmental and health concerns about the application of chemical insecticides to reduce large-scale insect pest infestations have led to renewed interest in the development of microbial agents for incorporation into integrated pest management strategies for the control of acridids.
Life history theory seeks to explain the evolution of the major features of life cycles by analyzing the ecological factors that shape age-specific schedules of growth, reproduction, and survival and by investigating the trade-offs that constrain the evolution of these traits. Although life history theory has made enormous progress in explaining the diversity of life history strategies among species, it traditionally ignores the underlying proximate mechanisms. This novel book argues that many fundamental problems in life history evolution, including the nature of trade-offs, can only be fully resolved if we begin to integrate information on developmental, physiological, and genetic mechanisms into the classical life history framework. Each chapter is written by an established or up-and-coming leader in their respective field; they not only represent the state of the art but also offer fresh perspectives for future research. The text is divided into 7 sections that cover basic concepts (Part 1), the mechanisms that affect different parts of the life cycle (growth, development, and maturation; reproduction; and aging and somatic maintenance) (Parts 2-4), life history plasticity (Part 5), life history integration and trade-offs (Part 6), and concludes with a synthesis chapter written by a prominent leader in the field and an editorial postscript (Part 7).
Contributions from 80 world-renowned authorities representing a broad international background lend Fungal Biotechnology in Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Applicationsfirst-class information on the biotechnological potential of entomopathogenic fungi and ergot alkaloids, applications of Trichoderma in disease control, and the development of mycoherbicides. Additional topics include fungal control of nematodes, control of plant disease by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, strategies for controlling vegetable and fruit crops, molecular biology tactics with mycotoxigenic fungi and the development of biofungicides, production of edible fungi, fermented foods, and high-value products like mycoprotein.
Principles of Insect Pathology, a text written from a pathological viewpoint, is intended for graduate-level students and researchers with a limited background in microbiology and in insect diseases. The book explains the importance of insect diseases and illuminates the complexity and diversity of insect-microbe relationships. Principles of Insect Pathology combines the disciplines of microbiology (virology, bacteriology, mycology, protozoology), pathology, and immunology within the context of the insect host, providing a format which is understandable to entomologists, microbiologists, and comparative pathologists.
Biological control is among the most promising methods for control of pests, diseases and weeds, and this book treats ecological and societal aspects together for the first time. The aim is to evaluate the significance of certain biological properties like biodiversity and natural habitats. In a societal approach terms like ‘consumer’s attitude’, ‘risk perception’, ‘learning and education’ and ‘value triangle’ are recognized as significant for biological production and human welfare.
This volume focuses on filamentous fungi and highlights the advances of the past decade, both in methodology and in the understanding of genomic organization and regulation of gene and pathway expression. The approaches and techniques of molecular biology enable us to ask and answer fundamental questions about many aspects of fungal biology, and open the way to the directed manipulation of fungal genetics. Moreover, this book describes the development and advancement of fungal genes and the ways in which these are being exploited in species of economic importance either in biotechnology or in biochemistry.
The first book of its kind to focus on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of patients with fungal infections, this definitive reference returns in a completely revised, full-color new edition. It presents specific recommendations for understanding, controlling, and preventing fungal infections based upon underlying principles of epidemiology and infection control policy, pathogenesis, immunology, histopathology, and laboratory diagnosis and antifungal therapy. More than 560 photographs, illustrations, and tables depict conditions as they appear in real life and equip you to identify clinical manifestations with accuracy. Expanded therapy content helps you implement the most appropriate treatment quickly, and a bonus CD-ROM-featuring all of the images from the text-enables you to enhance your electronic presentations. Includes specific recommendations for diagnosing, preventing, and treating fungal infections in various patient populations based upon underlying principles of epidemiology and infection control policy, pathogenesis, immunology, histopathology, and laboratory diagnosis and antifungal therapy. Covers etiologic agents of disease, fungal infections in special hosts such as pediatric patients and patients with cancer and HIV, infections of specific organ systems, and more, to make you aware of the special considerations involved in certain cases. Features clinically useful and reader-friendly practical tools-including algorithms, slides, graphs, pictorials, photographs, and radiographs-that better illustrate and communicate essential points, promote efficient use in a variety of clinical and academic settings, and facilitate slide making for lectures and presentations. Offers a CD-ROM containing all of the book's images for use in your electronic presentations. Offers more clinically relevant images-more than 300 in full color for the first time-to facilitate diagnosis. Features expanded therapy-related content, including up-to-date treatment strategies and drug selection and dosing guidelines. Includes several new sections in the chapter on fungal infections in cancer patients that reflect the formidable clinical challenges these infections continue to present. Presents the work of additional international contributors who have defined many of the key issues in the field, providing more of a global perspective on the best diagnostic and management approaches. Uses a new, full-color design to enhance readability and ease of access to information.
