Microbe-vector Interactions in Vector-borne Diseases

Describes the way causal pathogens of diseases interact with the vectors that transmit them.

S. H. Gillespie (Edited by), G. L. Smith (Edited by), A. Osbourn (Edited by)

9780521843126, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 May 2004

396 pages, 35 b/w illus. 10 colour illus. 14 tables
23.6 x 15.8 x 2.4 cm, 0.762 kg

'The authors describe the advantages of insects as vectors and their numerous barriers to infection, including physico-chemical barriers, the gut, haemolymph, and the salivary glands themselves.' ASM News

Several billion people are at daily risk of life threatening vector-borne diseases such as malaria, trypanosomiasis and dengue. This volume describes the way in which the causal pathogens of such diseases interact with the vectors that transmit them. It details the elegant biological adaptations that have enabled pathogens to live with their vectors and, in some circumstances, to control them. This knowledge has led to novel preventative strategies in the form of antibiotics and new vaccines which are targeted not at the pathogen itself but at its specific vector.

Preface
1. Vector-borne diseases B. W. J. Mahy
2. Evolution of tick-borne disease systems S. E. Randolph
3. Insect transmission of viruses S. Blanc
4. Interactive silencing of host gene expression S. W. Ding
5. Reducing the prevalence of Borrelia in ticks A. G. Barbour
6. Bunyavirus/mosquito interactions R. M. Elliott
7. How do mosquito vectors live with their viruses? S. Higgs 8. Induction of vector competence S. Weaver
9. Environmental influences on arbovirus infections and vectors P. S. Mellor
10. Vector immunity N. A. Ratcliffe and M. M. A. Whitten
11. Transmission of plant viruses by nematodes S. MacFarlane and D. J. Robinson
12. Wolbachia host-symbiont interactions M. J. Taylor
13. Pathogenic strategies of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a unique bacterium that colonizes neutrophils J. A. Carlyon and E. Fikrig
14. Interactions of Yersinia pestis with its flea vector that lead to the transmission of plague B. J. Hinnebusch
15. Transgenic malaria P. W. Atkinson
16. Vaccines targeting vectors G. A. T. Targett
Index.

Subject Areas: Microbiology [non-medical PSG], Medical microbiology & virology [MMFM], Immunology [MJCM]