Alphaherpesviruses

This comprehensive account of the human herpesviruses provides an encyclopedic overview of their basic virology and clinical manifestations. This group of viruses includes human simplex type 1 and 2, Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, HHV6A, 6B and 7, and varicella-zoster virus. The viral diseases and cancers they cause are significant and often recurrent. Their prevalence in the developed world accounts for a major burden of disease, and as a result there is a great deal of research into the pathophysiology of infection and immunobiology. Another important area covered within this volume concerns antiviral therapy and the development of vaccines. All these aspects are covered in depth, both scientifically and in terms of clinical guidelines for patient care. The text is illustrated generously throughout and is fully referenced to the latest research and developments.

Alphaherpesviruses are a fascinating group of DNA viruses that includes important human pathogens such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV): the causative agents of cold sores, genital ulcerous disease, and chickenpox/shingles, respectively. A key attribute of these viruses is their ability to establish lifelong latent infection in the peripheral nervous system of the host. Such persistence requires subversion of the host's immune system and intrinsic antiviral defense mechanisms. Understanding the mechanisms of the immune evasion and what triggers viral reactivation is a major challenge for today's researchers. This has prompted enormous research efforts into understanding the molecular and cellular biology of these viruses. This up-to-date and comprehensive volume aims to distill the most important research in this area providing a timely overview of the field. Topics covered include: transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, translational control, virus entry and capsid assembly, the role of microRNAs in infection and oncolytic vectors for cancer therapy. In addition there is coverage of virus-host interactions, including apoptosis, subversion of host protein quality control and DNA damage response pathways, autophagy, establishment and reactivation from latency, interferon responses, immunity and vaccine development. Essential reading for everyone working with alphaherpesviruses and of interest to all virologists working on latent infections.

Herpes viruses are widely distributed in nature, causing disease in organisms as diverse as bivalves and primates, including humans. Each virus appears to have established a long-standing relationship with its host, and the viruses have the ability to manipulate and control the metabolism of host cells, as well as innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. Herpes viruses maintain themselves within hosts in a latent state resulting in virus persistence for years – usually for the life span of the hosts. Herpes viruses comprise a large number of pathogens with diverse cellular targets and biological consequences of infection. What they have in common is their structure and the fact that they establish a dormant (latent) infection in their hosts that usually persists for life. The reviews here will highlight the general principles of herpes virus infection, with equal attention to overall principle and important difference. Also, the cell type- and life-style dependent differences in the establishment and maintenance of virus persistence will be covered.

Interpretation of Equine Laboratory Diagnostics offers a comprehensive approach to equine laboratory diagnostics, including hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, body fluid analysis, microbiology, clinical parasitology, endocrinology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. Offers a practical resource for the accurate interpretation of laboratory results, with examples showing real-world applications Covers hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, body fluid analysis, microbiology, clinical parasitology, endocrinology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics Introduces the underlying principles of laboratory diagnostics Provides clinically oriented guidance on performing and interpreting laboratory tests Presents a complete reference to establish and new diagnostic procedures Offers a practical resource for the accurate interpretation of laboratory results, with examples showing real-world applications Covers hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, body fluid analysis, microbiology, clinical parasitology, endocrinology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics Introduces the underlying principles of laboratory diagnostics Provides clinically oriented guidance on performing and interpreting laboratory tests Presents a complete reference to established and new diagnostic procedures

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has recently estimated that the world equid population exceeds 110 million. Working equids (horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules) remain essential to ensure the livelihood of poor communities around the world. In many developed countries, the equine industry has significant economical weight, with around 7 million horses in Europe alone. The close relationship between humans and equids and the fact that the athlete horse is the terrestrial mammal that travels the most worldwide after humans are important elements to consider in the transmission of pathogens and diseases, amongst equids and to other species. The potential effect of climate change on vector ecology and vector-borne diseases is also of concern for both human and animal health. In this Special Issue, we intend to explore our understanding of a panel of equine viruses, looking at their pathogenicity, their importance in terms of welfare and potential association with diseases, their economic importance and impact on performance, and how their identification can be helped by new technologies and methods.

This book introduces and reviews several topics for each human herpesvirus. One of the most important features of the book is that it covers aspects of both basic research and clinical medicine. Herpesviridae, a family of double-strand DNA viruses, has unique biological features by which these viruses establish latency after primary infection and reactivate in later life. Nine human herpesviruses are known so far, and each of them causes a variety of diseases in both primary infection and reactivation. Since the discovery of each human herpesvirus, an abundance of findings related to them has accumulated in basic research and clinical medicine. However, the vast majority of biological features is still masked in mystery. Furthermore, a strategy of treatment and prevention has not yet been established for most human herpesviruses. A wide range of readers will be interested in this volume with its treatment of problematic points and latest findings in the field.

The range of nanomaterial applications has expanded recently from catalysis, electronics, and filtration to therapeutics, diagnostics, agriculture, and food because of unique properties and potentials of different nanoparticles and nanomaterials. Research shows that these exquisite particles can interact with an organism at the cellular, physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. However, our knowledge of how they affect these changes, selectively or generally, in diverse organism or ecosystems is very limited and far from satisfactory. Data indicate that the biological function largely depends on the shape, size, and surface characteristics of the nanoparticles used besides life cycle stages of an organism. Therefore, this compilation will focus on the body of work carried out by distinguished investigators using diverse nanomaterials and plant and animal species. This book includes specific case studies as well as general review articles highlighting aspects of multilayered interactions, and targets not only research and academic scholars but also the concerned industry and policy makers as well.