Download or read book Characterization and Application of Open Reading Frame 2 of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 written by Porntippa Nawagitgul and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At least five epitopes were identified which reside in the following residues: (a) 58 to 62 and 165 to 185; (b) 47 to 62 and 165 to 185; (c) 47 to 58 and 165 to 200; (d) 47 to 58, 165 to 200 and 230 to 233; and (e) 47 to 58, 185 to 200 plus the last four amino acids (PLKP) at C terminus. As PCV2-associated diseases are an increasing threat in the swine population, reliable diagnostic methods are needed. Hence, riboprobes, derived from ORF1 and ORF2 of PCV2, were produced to detect PCV nucleic acid using in situ hybridization. The ORF1 antisense probe detects both PCVs whereas the ORF2 antisense probe selectively reacts with PCV2. Additionally, an ORF2 ELISA using the recombinant ORF2 protein and PCV2 ELISA based on cell-culture-propagated PCV2 were developed to detect antibodies to PCV2 and both strains, respectively. The ORF2 and PCV2 ELISAs demonstrated excellent agreement with diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy greater than 90%. Availability of these assays could accelerate our understanding of PCV2 infection and facilitate the development of prevention and control strategies.

Download or read book Characterization of the Antibody Response to Vaccination and Or Infection with Porcine Circovirus Type 2 and Identification and Characterization of a Decoy Epitope in the Capsid Protein written by Benjamin Ralph Trible and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chapter 1: Porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD) encompasses a group of complex, multi-factorial syndromes, which are dependent on infection with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Current strains of PCV2 circulating in the field are phylogenically classified into two groups, termed PCV2a and 2b. Outbreaks of severe PCVAD in North America in 2005 are linked with a shift in the predominant circulating genotype, from PCV2a to PCV2b. Therefore genotype specific differences in pathogenesis and antigenicity have been suggested. Overall, evidence suggests pathogenicity is a function of the specific PCV2 isolate, regardless of genotype. In addition, only minor antigenic differences have been reported. In terms of immunopathogenisis, a genotypically conserved immune decoy epitope, located in the C-terminal region of the capsid protein, provides an explanation for the inability to identify pathogenic differences between genotypes. Finally, genetic variation of PCV2 and the resulting consequences with respect to vaccination and diagnostics is discussed. Chapter 2: Open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) codes for the 233 amino acid capsid protein (CP). Baculovirus-based vaccines that express only ORF2 are protective against clinical disease following experimental challenge or natural infection. The goal of this study was to identify regions in CP preferentially recognized by sera from experimentally infected and vaccinated pigs, and compare these responses to pigs diagnosed with porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD), including porcine multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS). The approach was to react porcine sera with CP polypeptide fragments followed by finer mapping studies using overlapping oligopeptides that covered amino acids 141-200. The results showed that vaccinated pigs preferentially recognized only the largest CP(43-233) polypeptide fragment. A subset of experimentally infected pigs and pigs with PDNS showed strong reactivity against a CP oligopeptide, 169-STIDYFQPNNKR-180. Alanine scanning identified Y-173, F-174, Q-175 and K-179 as important for antibody recognition. The results from this study support the notion of PCV2 modulation of immunity, including antibody responses that may represent a precursor for disease. The recognition of CP(169-180) and other polypeptides provide opportunities to devise diagnostic tests for monitoring the immunological effectiveness of vaccination. Chapter 3: Porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) encompasses a group of syndromes linked to infection with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Based on the hypothesis that the immune response to vaccination versus infection are quantitatively and qualitatively different, the objective of this study was to evaluate immunity, virus replication and disease protection in pigs vaccinated with PCV2 capsid protein (CP) and natural infection. The disease model included dual infection with PCV2 and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a factor known to enhance disease progression and severity. The principal effect of PRRSV infection was to increase peak PCV2 viremia by almost 40-fold; however, PCV2 failed to show a reciprocal effect on PRRSV. In vaccinated pigs, there was no evidence of disease or PCV2 replication following dual virus challenge. Immunity following vaccination favored neutralizing antibody; whereas, PCV2 infection produced high levels of non-neutralizing antibody, primarily directed against a polypeptide in the C-terminal region of CP. These results support the notion that the magnitude of the total antibody response cannot be used as a measure of protective immunity. Furthermore, protection versus disease lies in the immunodominance of specific epitopes. Epitope specificity should be taken into consideration when designing PCV2 vaccines. Chapter 4: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) capsid protein (CP) is the only protein necessary for the formation of the virion capsid and recombinant CP spontaneously forms virus-like particles (VLPs). Located within a single CP subunit is an immunodominant epitope, CP(169-180), which is exposed on the surface of the subunit; but, in the structural context of the VLP, the epitope is buried and inaccessible to antibody. High levels of anti-CP(169-180) activity are associated with porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the immune response to monomer CP in the development of PCVAD. The approach was to immunize pigs with CP monomer followed by challenge with PCV2 and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). To maintain the CP immunogen as a stable monomer, CP(43-233) was fused to ubiquitin (Ub-CP). Size exclusion chromatography showed that Ub-CP was present as a single 33 kDa protein. Pigs immunized with Ub-CP developed a strong antibody response to PCV2, including antibodies against CP(169-180). However, only low levels of virus neutralizing activity were detected and viremia was similar to non-immunized pigs. As a positive control, immunization with baculovirus-expressed CP (Bac-CP) resulted in high levels of virus neutralizing activity, low amounts of anti-CP(169-180) activity, and the absence of viremia in pigs following virus challenge. The data support the role of CP(169-180) as an immunological decoy and illustrate the importance of the structural form of the CP immunogen in determining the outcome following infection.

Download or read book Molecular Epidemiology and Characterization of the Receptor Binding of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Pcv2 written by Ching-Man Ma and published by . This book was released on 2017-01-27 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This dissertation, "Molecular Epidemiology and Characterization of the Receptor Binding of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2)" by Ching-man, Ma, 馬靜雯, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of thesis entitled MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE RECEPTOR BINDING OF PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS TYPE 2 (PCV2) Submitted by Ching Man MA for the degree of Master of Philosophy at The University of Hong Kong in November 2006 Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) belongs to the family Circoviridae, which is the causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in pigs. To investigate the evolution and pathogenicity of PCV2, molecular epidemiology was studied using a bioinformatic approach. In addition, receptor binding of PCV2 was studied using cell-binding assays. Classification of worldwide PCV2 strains designated five major PCV2 lineages (I-V) following phylogenetic analysis. It was found the local and worldwide strains were mainly originated from sub-lineage Ia. Evidences for recombination was shown in PCV2 strains from Hong Kong and mainland China. Molecular dating of PCV2 sub-lineage Ia using Bayesian Monte Carlo Markov chain (BMCMC) approach estimated that the emergence time of the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) was around 1995. To study the receptor binding of PCV2, both cap genes (ORF2) of PCV1 and PCV2 without the nuclear localization signal (NLS) were expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fusion proteins in a bacterial expression system. The recombinant proteins GST-1.2-XNLS and GST-2.2-XNLS were demonstrated to bind to the porcine monocytic cell line 3D4/31 in a dose-dependent and specific manner. Both GST-1.2-XNLS and GST-2.2-XNLS showed reduced bindings in trypsin pre-treated cells and post-binding NaCl washing at different levels. Binding of GST-2.2-XNLS could not be significantly inhibited by GST-1.2-XNLS. Interestingly, both recombination proteins bound to all eight mammalian cell lines investigated, suggesting PCV1 and PCV2 use ubiquitous receptor(s) for cell attachment. However, different receptors might be responsible for successive infection. The current study provides information on evolution, receptor usage and pathogenicity of PCV2. DOI: 10.5353/th_b3822720 Subjects: DNA virus - Receptors Swine - Virus diseases - Genetic aspects Viral genetics Molecular epidemiology

Download or read book The Application of Metagenomic Sequencing to Detect and Characterize Emerging Porcine Viruses written by Rachel Palinski and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Emerging viral diseases threaten the health of the US swineherd and have the potential to impact the industry. Parvoviruses are capable of infecting birds, livestock and humans, however, in swine, parvoviruses cause reproductive failure and contribute to a devastating set of diseases termed porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD). Here, a divergent porcine parvovirus, porcine parvovirus 7 (PPV7), distantly related to known parvovirus sequences, was identified in market pigs in the US. The PPV7 non-structural protein displayed 42.4% similarity to Eidolon helvum parvovirus 2 and 37.9% similarity to turkey parvovirus. Conserved parvovirus replicase motifs including three rolling circle replication (RCR), two NTP-binding motifs and a helicase- binding domain, were present in PPV7. Analysis by qPCR of 182 porcine samples found 16 (8.6%) positive, suggesting moderate nucleic acid prevalence in US swine. Paramyxoviruses are capable of infecting various species including cattle, pigs and humans, causing respiratory disease and importantly, can overcome species barriers causing disease. In 2013, a novel paramyxovirus sequence was described in Hong Kong, China in slaughterhouse pigs, and subsequently named porcine parainfluenza virus 1 (PPIV1). The second study identifies two complete PPIV1 genomes in US pigs originating in Oklahoma and Nebraska that display 90.0-95.3% identity to the Chinese strains. Molecular analysis by qPCR resulted in 6.1% prevalence in 279 porcine respiratory samples. Further serological analysis revealed 66.1% of 59 porcine sera samples were positive by PPIV1 F ELISA. Eleven 3-week old nursery pigs from a PPIV1 naturally infected herd were monitored for signs of infection. No clinical signs were seen in the animals, however, six pigs and the lungs of one animal tested qPCR positive by the conclusion of the study. Taken together, PPIV1 is moderately prevalent in US swine-herds. Previously known to infect avian species, canines and swine, recent reports have identified circoviruses in bats, mink, and human feces. In pigs, porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is essential to PCVAD, a group of diseases including reproductive failure, respiratory disease complex (PRDC), porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) and postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Additionally, PCV2 nucleic acid has been detected in mammalian species other than swine such as cattle and mink. The final study focuses on the identification and characterization of a divergent circovirus, porcine circovirus 3, identified in aborted mummies taken from sows displaying clinical and histological signs of PDNS. Putative capsid and replicase open reading frames display 37% and 55% identity to PCV2, respectively. A retrospective study of 48 PDNS cases, PCV2 negative by immunohistochemistry (IHC), identified 45 positive and 60% of a subset, positive for PCV3 by IHC. Molecular and serological prevalence studies revealed 12.5% nucleic acid and 55% antibody prevalence in US swine samples. Collectively, these studies identify emerging porcine viruses with the potential to cause disease using metagenomic sequencing. The results of these studies will help to mitigate the risk attributed to emerging swine viruses causing disease outbreaks.

Download or read book Expression of Recombinant Porcine Circovirus 2 PCV2 Capsid Polypeptides for Mapping Antibody Epitopes Following Vaccination Infection and Disease written by Benjamin R. Trible and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) codes for the 233 amino acid capsid protein (CP). Baculovirus-based vaccines that express only ORF2 are protective against clinical disease following experimental challenge or natural infection. The goal of this study was to identify regions in CP preferentially recognized by sera from experimentally infected and vaccinated pigs, and compare these responses to pigs diagnosed with porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD). The approach was to react porcine sera with different CP polypeptide fragments that each contained one or more immunoreactive regions. Expression of polypeptides was performed using E.coli. Initial results showed that sera from vaccinated pigs preferentially recognized only the largest CP(43-233) polypeptide fragment and showed low levels of binding to other CP polypeptide fragments. The results of sera from pigs diagnosed with PMWS showed only minimal reactivity with CP polypeptide fragments, including the largest CP(43-233). PCV2 infected or PDNS diagnosed pigs reacted to all CP polypeptides: however, the strongest reactivity was primarily directed towards CP polypeptides containing residues in the 160-180 region. For this purpose, finer mapping studies were performed. These experiments involved reacting sera from experimentally infected PCV2 pigs and PDNS pigs with overlapping oligopeptides that covered amino acids 141-200. Overall, the results showed a subset of experimentally infected pigs and pigs with PDNS preferentially recognized the CP oligopeptide, 169-STIDYFQPNNKR-180. Alanine scanning identified Y-173, F-174, Q-175 and K-179 as important for antibody recognition. The results from this study support the notion of PCV2 modulation of immunity, including antibody responses that may represent a precursor for disease. The results from this study support the notion of PCV2 modulation of immunity. Furthermore, the methods incorporated in this study provide a means for characterizing the immune response upon vaccination, natural infection and disease.

Download or read book Advances in Genome Research and Application 2012 Edition written by and published by ScholarlyEditions. This book was released on 2012-12-26 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Advances in Genome Research and Application / 2012 Edition is a ScholarlyBrief™ that delivers timely, authoritative, comprehensive, and specialized information about Genome in a concise format. The editors have built Advances in Genome Research and Application / 2012 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Genome in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Advances in Genome Research and Application / 2012 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

Download or read book Aquaculture Virology written by Frederick S.B. Kibenge and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2024-07-16 with total page 745 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Aquaculture Virology, Second Edition covers all the known virus families, and specific diseases that affect each aquatic organism. Descriptions of each disease includes disease name, structure and composition of virus, classification and virus replication, epidemiology, pathology and immunity, diagnostic methods (gross pathology, histopathology, cell culture, PCR, sequencing, ELISA, etc.) and prevention and control. This is an excellent reference of updated foundational and practical knowledge from experts in both academia and research.Those interested in fish viral diseases will find the book an excellent source for high quality illustrations of viral structure, diagrams of pathogenesis of diseases, and many images of gross pathology and histopathology lesions, using the same format in all chapters to facilitate the reading and studying. This second edition of the book will cover all virus families and the specific diseases relevant to aquaculture with current information delivered in a systematic and succinct way to the researcher, teacher, student, diagnostic laboratory staff, clinical veterinarian, aquaculture disease practitioner, farmer, and all people that are interested in viruses in general. - Provides unique, comprehensive information on animal pathogens and viruses found in aquaculture and fisheries - Presents high-quality illustrations of viral structure, diagrams of viral disease processes, gross pathology, and histopathology lesions to aid in understanding - Incorporates all updated changes in taxonomy since the first edition - Includes a new chapter on the impact of climate change on the manifestations of different aquatic animal viral diseases - Describes aquatic viruses of the major aquatic animals, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks

Download or read book Cumulated Index Medicus written by and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 1828 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals written by J. J. Kaneko and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2014-05-10 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, Second Edition, Volume I, is a major revision of the first edition prompted by the marked expansion of knowledge in the clinical biochemistry of animals. In keeping with this expansion of knowledge, this edition is comprised of two volumes. Chapters on the pancreas, thyroid, and pituitary-adrenal systems have been separated and entirely rewritten. Completely new chapters on muscle metabolism, iron metabolism, blood clotting, and gastrointestinal function have been added. All the chapters of the first edition have been revised with pertinent new information, and many have been completely rewritten. This volume contains 10 chapters and opens with a discussion of carbohydrate metabolism and associated disorders. Separate chapters follow on lipid metabolism, plasma proteins, and porphyrins. Subsequent chapters deal with liver, pancreatic, and thyroid functions; the role of the pituitary and adrenal glands in health and disease; the function of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium metabolism in health and disease; and iron metabolism.

Download or read book Principles of Molecular Virology written by Alan Cann and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2005-07-26 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Principles of Molecular Virology, Fourth Edition" provides an essential introduction to modern virology in a clear and concise manner. It is a highly enjoyable and readable text with numerous illustrations that enhance the reader's understanding of important principles. It contains new material on virus structure, virus evolution, zoonoses, bushmeat, SARS and bioterrorism. The standard version includes a CD-ROM with Flash animations, virtual interactive tutorials and experiments, self-assessment questions, useful online resources, along with the glossary, classification of subcellular infectious agents and history of virology.

Download or read book Index Medicus written by and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 1666 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Vols. for 1963- include as pt. 2 of the Jan. issue: Medical subject headings.

Download or read book Advances in DNA Research and Application 2013 Edition written by and published by ScholarlyEditions. This book was released on 2013-06-21 with total page 481 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Advances in DNA Research and Application / 2013 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ book that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Bacterial DNA. The editors have built Advances in DNA Research and Application: 2013 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Bacterial DNA in this book to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Advances in DNA Research and Application: 2013 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

Download or read book Nucleocapsid Proteins Advances in Research and Application 2012 Edition written by and published by ScholarlyEditions. This book was released on 2012-12-26 with total page 95 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nucleocapsid Proteins—Advances in Research and Application: 2012 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ eBook that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Nucleocapsid Proteins. The editors have built Nucleocapsid Proteins—Advances in Research and Application: 2012 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Nucleocapsid Proteins in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Nucleocapsid Proteins—Advances in Research and Application: 2012 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

Download or read book Cytokines Advances in Research and Application 2013 Edition written by and published by ScholarlyEditions. This book was released on 2013-06-21 with total page 682 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cytokines—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ book that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Osteopontin. The editors have built Cytokines—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Osteopontin in this book to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Cytokines—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

Download or read book Emerging Swine Infectious Diseases written by Tao Lin and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2024-01-10 with total page 95 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As major threats to the global swine industry, swine infectious diseases caused significant economic losses and potential public health issues. During the past three decades, many swine infectious diseases emerged in the field, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and its novel isolates with distinct pathogenicity, high pathogenic variants of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV) and influenza viruses, which lead to tremendous economic losses worldwide. A few novel pathogens identified recently, such as Senecavirus A, atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV), PCV-3, PCV4, PDCoV, SADS-CoV, influenza D, constitute a new challenge. Although significant effects have been made to study these emerging infectious diseases, there are still gaps in many aspects, such as the pathogenesis mechanisms, structure and function of viral proteins, protective immunity, and viral evolution. For disease control, new approaches for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases are urgently required. To fill these gaps of knowledge, we encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in the below aspects: - Genomic structure and function - Virus-host interaction - Viral and/or host dependency for virulence and transmissibility of the disease - Antiviral countermeasures - Vaccine design - Disease control programs

Download or read book Flexible Viruses written by Vladimir Uversky and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2012-02-07 with total page 532 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides up-to-date information on experimental and computational characterization of the structural and functional properties of viral proteins, which are widely involved in regulatory and signaling processes. With chapters by leading research groups, it features current information on the structural and functional roles of intrinsic disorders in viral proteomes. It systematically addresses the measles, HIV, influenza, potato virus, forest virus, bovine virus, hepatitis, and rotavirus as well as viral genomics. After analyzing the unique features of each class of viral proteins, future directions for research and disease management are presented.

Download or read book Recent Advances in Animal Virology written by Yashpal Singh Malik and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2019-11-14 with total page 471 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book discusses the prominence and implication of the viral diseases that are a major threat to animals around the globe. A number of these diseases have also shown links with human populations, which has implications for public health. This book offers detailed and up-to-date information on viral diseases in livestock and poultry that were and/or are still a problem. Including cutting-edge developments, it also highlights several landmark contributions in the field of virology from India. Additionally, the book features tables and figures showing important clinical data and recommendations, with references for further information. It also explores the economic impact of viral diseases for farmers and the livestock industry, providing several examples. Further, it presents the latest information on viral diseases in global context, with a focus on state-of-art, molecular tools for the development of diagnostics, prophylactics and therapeutics. Lastly, the book also describes the challenges posed by the emerging and transboundary viral infections and our preparedness to counter them.