Download or read book Current and Emerging Technologies for the Diagnosis of Microbial Infections written by and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2015-11-23 with total page 634 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Current and Emerging Technologies in Microbial Diagnostics, the latest volume in the Methods in Microbiology series, provides comprehensive, cutting-edge reviews of current and emerging technologies in the field of clinical microbiology. The book features a wide variety of state-of-the art methods and techniques for the diagnosis and management of microbial infections, with chapters authored by internationally renowned experts. This volume focuses on current techniques, such as MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy and molecular diagnostics, along with newly emerging technologies such as host-based diagnostics and next generation sequencing. Written by recognized leaders and experts in the field Provides a comprehensive and cutting-edge review of current and emerging technologies in the field of clinical microbiology, including discussions of current techniques such as MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy and molecular diagnostics Includes a broad range and breadth of techniques covered Presents discussions on newly emerging technologies such as host-based diagnostics and next generation sequencing

Download or read book Global Infectious Disease Surveillance and Detection written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2007-11-11 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Early detection is essential to the control of emerging, reemerging, and novel infectious diseases, whether naturally occurring or intentionally introduced. Containing the spread of such diseases in a profoundly interconnected world requires active vigilance for signs of an outbreak, rapid recognition of its presence, and diagnosis of its microbial cause, in addition to strategies and resources for an appropriate and efficient response. Although these actions are often viewed in terms of human public health, they also challenge the plant and animal health communities. Surveillance, defined as "the continual scrutiny of all aspects of occurrence and spread of a disease that are pertinent to effective control", involves the "systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data." Disease detection and diagnosis is the act of discovering a novel, emerging, or reemerging disease or disease event and identifying its cause. Diagnosis is "the cornerstone of effective disease control and prevention efforts, including surveillance." Disease surveillance and detection relies heavily on the astute individual: the clinician, veterinarian, plant pathologist, farmer, livestock manager, or agricultural extension agent who notices something unusual, atypical, or suspicious and brings this discovery in a timely way to the attention of an appropriate representative of human public health, veterinary medicine, or agriculture. Most developed countries have the ability to detect and diagnose human, animal, and plant diseases. Global Infectious Disease Surveillance and Detection: Assessing the Challenges-Finding Solutions, Workshop Summary is part of a 10 book series and summarizes the recommendations and presentations of the workshop.

Download or read book Microbial Threats to Health written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2003-08-25 with total page 397 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Infectious diseases are a global hazard that puts every nation and every person at risk. The recent SARS outbreak is a prime example. Knowing neither geographic nor political borders, often arriving silently and lethally, microbial pathogens constitute a grave threat to the health of humans. Indeed, a majority of countries recently identified the spread of infectious disease as the greatest global problem they confront. Throughout history, humans have struggled to control both the causes and consequences of infectious diseases and we will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Following up on a high-profile 1992 report from the Institute of Medicine, Microbial Threats to Health examines the current state of knowledge and policy pertaining to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases from around the globe. It examines the spectrum of microbial threats, factors in disease emergence, and the ultimate capacity of the United States to meet the challenges posed by microbial threats to human health. From the impact of war or technology on disease emergence to the development of enhanced disease surveillance and vaccine strategies, Microbial Threats to Health contains valuable information for researchers, students, health care providers, policymakers, public health officials. and the interested public.

Download or read book The Resistance Phenomenon in Microbes and Infectious Disease Vectors written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2003-03-26 with total page 333 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The resistance topic is timely given current events. The emergence of mysterious new diseases, such as SARS, and the looming threat of bioterrorist attacks remind us of how vulnerable we can be to infectious agents. With advances in medical technologies, we have tamed many former microbial foes, yet with few new antimicrobial agents and vaccines in the pipeline, and rapidly increasing drug resistance among infectious microbes, we teeter on the brink of loosing the upperhand in our ongoing struggle against these foes, old and new. The Resistance Phenomenon in Microbes and Infectious Disease Vectors examines our understanding of the relationships among microbes, disease vectors, and human hosts, and explores possible new strategies for meeting the challenge of resistance.

Download or read book Biosensing Technologies for the Detection of Pathogens written by Toonika Rinken and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2018-03-21 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rapid multiplex detection of pathogens in the environment and in our food is a key factor for the prevention and effective treatment of infectious diseases. Biosensing technologies combining the high selectivity of biomolecular recognition and the sensitivity of modern signal detection platforms are a prospective option for automated analyses. They allow rapid detection of single molecules as well as cellular substances. This book, including 12 chapters from 50 authors, introduces the principles of identification of specific pathogen biomarkers along with different biosensor-based technologies applied for pathogen detection.

Download or read book Human Emerging and Re emerging Infections 2 Volume Set written by Sunit Kumar Singh and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2016-01-26 with total page 1088 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Emerging and re-emerging pathogens pose several challenges to diagnosis, treatment, and public health surveillance, primarily because pathogen identification is a difficult and time-consuming process due to the “novel” nature of the agent. Proper identification requires a wide array of techniques, but the significance of these diagnostics is anticipated to increase with advances in newer molecular and nanobiotechnological interventions and health information technology. Human Emerging and Re-emerging Infections covers the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, clinical features, and public health risks posed by new viral and microbial infections. The book includes detailed coverage on the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, development of various diagnostic tools, diagnostic assays and their limitations, key research priorities, and new technologies in infection diagnostics. Volume 1 addresses viral and parasitic infections, while volume 2 delves into bacterial and mycotic infections. Human Emerging and Re-emerging Infections is an invaluable resource for researchers in parasitologists, microbiology, Immunology, neurology and virology, as well as clinicians and students interested in understanding the current knowledge and future directions of infectious diseases.

Download or read book Orphans and Incentives written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1997-10-30 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of prolonged illness, premature mortality, and soaring health costs. In the United States in 1995, infectious diseases were the third leading cause of death, right behind heart disease and cancer. Mortality is mounting over time, owing to HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, and septicemia, with drug resistance playing an ever-increasing role in each of these disease categories. This book, a report from a Forum on Emerging Infections workshop, focuses on product areas where returns from the market might be perceived as being too small or too complicated by other factors to compete in industrial portfolios with other demands for investment. Vaccines are quintessential examples of such products. The lessons learned fall into four areas, including what makes intersectoral collaboration a reality, the notion of a product life cycle, the implications of divergent sectoral mandates and concepts of risk, and the roles of advocacy and public education. The summary contains an examination of the Children's Vaccine Initiative and other models, an industry perspective on the emerging infections agenda, and legal and regulatory issues.

Download or read book Antibiotic Resistance Protocols written by Stephen H. Gillespie and published by Humana. This book was released on 2010-04-16 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book fully updates and builds upon its first edition. Beginning with chapters on epidemiology and population genetics, it continues with sections covering genomics and gene expressions, fitness mutation and physiology, and the detection of resistance.

Download or read book Imaging Bacterial Molecules Structures and Cells written by and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2016-11-29 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Imaging Bacterial Molecules, Structures and Cells, the latest volume in the Methods in Microbiology series, provides comprehensive, cutting-edge reviews of current and emerging technologies in the field of clinical microbiology. The book features a wide variety of state-of-the art methods and techniques for the diagnosis and management of microbial infections, with chapters authored by internationally renowned experts. This particular volume focuses on current techniques, such as MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy and molecular diagnostics, along with newly emerging technologies, such as host-based diagnostics and next generation sequencing.

Download or read book Current Topics in Salmonella and Salmonellosis written by Mihai Mares and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2017-04-05 with total page 285 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The genus Salmonella comprises an important number of bacterial species able to colonize and infect numerous animal species and humans. Although more than a hundred years passed since its discovery, Salmonella still represents a redoubtable and successful microorganism, difficult to deal with. Whether we discuss about typhoid fever or food poisoning, the public health and financial consequences are practically incalculable. The costs attributable to Salmonella contamination of meat, eggs, and vegetables are also very high worldwide. Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolates is an emerging threat not only in humans, and special measures should be addressed to this global problem. The book Current Topics in Salmonella and Salmonellosis contains a series of reviews about all-important issues concerning these subjects. It comprises 14 chapters grouped in 4 sections emphasizing new insights into pathogenesis, bacterial detection and antibiotic resistance, infections in animals, risk factors, and control strategies. The new genomic data and the exhaustive presentation of molecular pathogenesis bring novelty to the book and can help to improve our knowledge about Salmonella-induced diseases.

Download or read book The Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2002-04-09 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Zoonotic diseases represent one of the leading causes of illness and death from infectious disease. Defined by the World Health Organization, zoonoses are "those diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man with or without an arthropod intermediate." Worldwide, zoonotic diseases have a negative impact on commerce, travel, and economies. In most developing countries, zoonotic diseases are among those diseases that contribute significantly to an already overly burdened public health system. In industrialized nations, zoonotic diseases are of particular concern for at-risk groups such as the elderly, children, childbearing women, and immunocompromised individuals. The Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases: Understanding the Impact on Animal and Human Health, covers a range of topics, which include: an evaluation of the relative importance of zoonotic diseases against the overall backdrop of emerging infections; research findings related to the current state of our understanding of zoonotic diseases; surveillance and response strategies to detect, prevent, and mitigate the impact of zoonotic diseases on human health; and information about ongoing programs and actions being taken to identify the most important needs in this vital area.

Download or read book Treating Infectious Diseases in a Microbial World written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2006-01-03 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Humans coexist with millions of harmless microorganisms, but emerging diseases, resistance to antibiotics, and the threat of bioterrorism are forcing scientists to look for new ways to confront the microbes that do pose a danger. This report identifies innovative approaches to the development of antimicrobial drugs and vaccines based on a greater understanding of how the human immune system interacts with both good and bad microbes. The report concludes that the development of a single superdrug to fight all infectious agents is unrealistic.

Download or read book Science and Technology Against Microbial Pathogens written by A Mendez-Vilas and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2011-07-06 with total page 448 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The aim of this book is to disseminate the most recent research in science and technology against microbial pathogens presented at the first edition of the ICAR Conference Series (ICAR2010) held in Valladolid, Spain, in November 2010. This volume is a compilation of 86 chapters written by active researchers that offer information and experiences and afford critical insights into anti-microbe strategies in a general context marked by the threat posed by the increasing antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. “Anti” is here taken in a wide sense as “against cell cycle, adhesion, or communication”, and when harmful for the human health (infectious diseases, chemotherapy etc.) and industry or economy (food, agriculture, water systems etc.) The book examines this interesting subject area from antimicrobial resistance (superbugs, emerging and re-emerging pathogens etc.), to the use of natural products or microbes against microbial pathogens, not forgetting antimicrobial chemistry, physics and material science. Readers will find in a single volume, up-to-date information of the current knowledge in antimicrobial research. The book is recommended for researchers from a broad range of academic disciplines that are contributing in the battle against harmful microorganisms, not only those more traditionally involved in this research area (microbiologists, biochemists, geneticists, clinicians etc.), but also experimental and theoretical/computational chemists, physicists or engineers. Contents:Antimicrobial Peptides:A new class of Scots pine antimicrobial proteins, which act by binding β-glucan (Sanjeewani Sooriyaarachchi, Adrian Suárez Covarrubias, Wimal Ubhayasekera, Frederick O Asiegbu and Sherry L Mowbray)Antimicrobial aza-β3-peptides: Structure-activity relationship? (B Legrand, M Laurencin, C Zatylny-Gaudin, J Henry, A Bondon and M Baudy Floc'h)Differential antimicrobial activities of Human Beta-Defensins against Methicillin Resistant (MRSA) and Methicillin sensitive (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus (N D S Herathge, J T George and D A Rowley)Non-antibiotics Biocides:Evaluation of biocidal activity of Evolyse, a disinfectant based on hydrogen peroxide and silver nitrate (M Barbara Pisano, V Altana, M Elisabetta Fadda, L Mura, M Deplano and S Cosentino)Increased resistance to detergent in Enterococcus faecalis (Jacqueline Keyhani and Ezzatollah Keyhani)Legionella pneumophila isolation rate in a Spanish hospital pre- and post-installation of an electrochemical activation system for potable water disinfection (Jose-Maria Rivera, Juan-Jose Granizo, Jose-Maria Aguiar, Ana Vos-Arenilla, Maria-Jose Giménez and Lorenzo Aguilar)Antimicrobial Evaluation: Clinical and Pre-clinical Trials:Adherence to ART and its associated factors among HIV Aids Patients in Addis Ababa (Ezra Muluneh)Effectiveness and safety of miconazole with hydrocortisone (Daktacort) feminine care cream in the treatment of vulvar candidiasis (J Perez-Peralta and G Balaccua)Natural Products: Terrestrial and Marine Organisms:Analysis of the 2-Phenylethyl isothiocyanate present in Brassica leaves and their potential application as antimicrobial agent against bacteria strains isolated from Human and Pig gastrointestinal tracts (A Aires, C Dias, R N Bennett, E A S Rosa and M J Saavedra)Antimicrobial effect of carvacrol on Escherichia coli K12 growth at different temperatures (C M Belda-Galbis, A Martínez and D Rodrigo)Bacteriostatic effect of cocoa powder rich in polyphenols to control Cronobacter sakazakii proliferation on infant milk formula (M C Pina-Pérez, D Rodrigo and A Martínez-López)Antimicrobial Surfaces. Biofilms. Quorum Sensing. Consumer Products:Antimicrobial active packaging films based on sorbic acid (C Hauser, J Wunderlich and G Ziegleder)Bacteriophages actions on Salmonella Enteritidis biofilm (A A Ferreira, R C S Mendonça, H M Hungaro, M M Carvalho and J A M Pereira)Biocompatibility and antibacterial property of cold sprayed ZnO/Titanium composite coating (Noppakun Sanpo, Chen Hailan, Kelvin Loke, Koh Pak Keng, Philip Cheang, C C Berndt and K A Khor)Methods and Techniques. Mechanisms of Action. Physics:A new approach for detection of bacterial contamination in cooling lubricants (D Oberschmidt, A Spielvogel, C Hein, J E Langbein, D Lorenz, U Stahl and E Uhlmann)Development of a liquid-medium assay for screening antimicrobial natural products against marine bacteria (M Geiger, J Dupont, O Grovel, Y F Pouchus and P Hess)Experimental planning can help to optimize the selective photoinactivation of microorganisms (J R Perussi, P L Fernandes, C Bernal and H Imasato)Resistance and Susceptibility:A 3-year review on the profile of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative in a tertiary teaching hospital inMalaysia (H Habsah, Z Z Deris, M Zeehaida, A R Zaidah, H Siti Asma' and I Nabilah)Antimicrobial susceptibility in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus harbouring of mecA and lukFS-PV genes in Northern Portugal (N Silva, C Prudêncio, C Tomaz and R Fernandes)Antimicrobial susceptibility profile and effect of stem bark extracts of Curtisia dentata on multi-drug resistant verotoxic Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter spp. isolates obtained from water and wastewater samples (Hamuel James Doughari, Patrick Alois Ndakidemi, Izanne Susan Human and Spinney Benade)Chemistry:Antimicrobial cyclic pseudopeptides including Aza-β3-amino acids (M Laurencin, B Legrand, L Mouret, A Bondon, Y Fleury and M Baudy Floc'h)Effect of paracetamol on the pharmacokinetics of cephalexin in dogs (N A Afifi, M Atef, K Abo-El-Sooud and N El-Mokadem)Importance of the C9 absolute configuration for the antifungal activity of natural and semisynthetic sesquiterpenes (M Derita, M Di Liberto and S Zacchino)Antimicrobial Microbes and Viruses. Biosynthesis of Antibiotics:Antimicrobial properties of Lactobacillus plantarum Tensia (DSM 21380) and Inducia (DSM 21379) (M Rätsep, P Hütt, R Avi, M Utt and E Songisepp)Cell growth control by tRNase ribotoxins from bacteria and yeast (Eyemen Kheir, Christian Bär, Daniel Jablonowski and Raffael Schaffrath)Comparison of anti-listerial effect spectrum of bacteriocins (Selin Kalkan, Emel Ünal and Zerrin Erginkaya)and other papers Readership: Professionals - microbiologists, biochemists, geneticists, clinicians, chemists, physicists, engineers. Keywords:Antimicrobial Research;Antimicrobial Resistance;Antimicrobial in Natural Products;Antimicrobial Microbes;Antimicrobial Materials Science and Surface Chemistry;Microbial Pathogens;Antibacterial;Antifungal;ICAR2010 Conference Proceedings Book;Mendez-VilasKey Features:The book examines this interesting subject area from antimicrobial resistance (superbugs, emerging and re-emerging pathogens etc.), to the use of natural products or microbes against microbial pathogens, not forgetting the antimicrobial chemistry, physics and material scienceReaders will be able to find updated information of the current knowledge in antimicrobial research

Download or read book Bugs as Drugs written by Robert A. Britton and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2020-07-02 with total page 514 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Examining the enormous potential of microbiome manipulation to improve health Associations between the composition of the intestinal microbiome and many human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and cancer, have been elegantly described in the past decade. Now, whole-genome sequencing, bioinformatics, and precision gene-editing techniques are being combined with centuries-old therapies, such as fecal microbiota transplantation, to translate current research into new diagnostics and therapeutics to treat complex diseases. Bugs as Drugs provides a much-needed overview of microbes in therapies and will serve as an excellent resource for scientists and clinicians as they carry out research and clinical studies on investigating the roles the microbiota plays in health and disease. In Bugs as Drugs, editors Robert A. Britton and Patrice D. Cani have assembled a fascinating collection of reviews that chart the history, current efforts, and future prospects of using microorganisms to fight disease and improve health. Sections cover traditional uses of probiotics, next-generation microbial therapeutics, controlling infectious diseases, and indirect strategies for manipulating the host microbiome. Topics presented include: How well-established probiotics support and improve host health by improving the composition of the intestinal microbiota of the host and by modulating the host immune response. The use of gene editing and recombinant DNA techniques to create tailored probiotics and to characterize next-generation beneficial microbes. For example, engineering that improves the anti-inflammatory profile of probiotics can reduce the number of colonic polyps formed, and lactobacilli can be transformed into targeted delivery systems carrying therapeutic proteins or bioengineered bacteriophage. The association of specific microbiota composition with colorectal cancer, liver diseases, osteoporosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The gut microbiota has been proposed to serve as an organ involved in regulation of inflammation, immune function, and energy homeostasis. Fecal microbiota transplantation as a promising treatment for numerous diseases beyond C. difficile infection. Practical considerations for using fecal microbiota transplantation are provided, while it is acknowledged that more high-quality evidence is needed to ascertain the importance of strain specificity in positive treatment outcomes. Because systems biology approaches and synthetic engineering of microbes are now high-throughput and cost-effective, a much wider range of therapeutic possibilities can be explored and vetted.

Download or read book CDC Yellow Book 2018 Health Information for International Travel written by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2017-04-17 with total page 672 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE ESSENTIAL WORK IN TRAVEL MEDICINE -- NOW COMPLETELY UPDATED FOR 2018 As unprecedented numbers of travelers cross international borders each day, the need for up-to-date, practical information about the health challenges posed by travel has never been greater. For both international travelers and the health professionals who care for them, the CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel is the definitive guide to staying safe and healthy anywhere in the world. The fully revised and updated 2018 edition codifies the U.S. government's most current health guidelines and information for international travelers, including pretravel vaccine recommendations, destination-specific health advice, and easy-to-reference maps, tables, and charts. The 2018 Yellow Book also addresses the needs of specific types of travelers, with dedicated sections on: · Precautions for pregnant travelers, immunocompromised travelers, and travelers with disabilities · Special considerations for newly arrived adoptees, immigrants, and refugees · Practical tips for last-minute or resource-limited travelers · Advice for air crews, humanitarian workers, missionaries, and others who provide care and support overseas Authored by a team of the world's most esteemed travel medicine experts, the Yellow Book is an essential resource for travelers -- and the clinicians overseeing their care -- at home and abroad.

Download or read book Emerging Viral Diseases written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2015-03-19 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the past half century, deadly disease outbreaks caused by novel viruses of animal origin - Nipah virus in Malaysia, Hendra virus in Australia, Hantavirus in the United States, Ebola virus in Africa, along with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), several influenza subtypes, and the SARS (sudden acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) coronaviruses - have underscored the urgency of understanding factors influencing viral disease emergence and spread. Emerging Viral Diseases is the summary of a public workshop hosted in March 2014 to examine factors driving the appearance, establishment, and spread of emerging, re-emerging and novel viral diseases; the global health and economic impacts of recently emerging and novel viral diseases in humans; and the scientific and policy approaches to improving domestic and international capacity to detect and respond to global outbreaks of infectious disease. This report is a record of the presentations and discussion of the event.

Download or read book Laboratory Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases written by E. van Dyck and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 1999 with total page 147 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This manual provides an authoritative guide to standard laboratory procedures for detecting and diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases. Addressed to clinical microbiologists and medical technologists, the manual is designed to serve as a practical bench aid, tuned to the needs and capacities of laboratories at different levels in the health system. Although the standard procedures described have universal relevance, particular attention is given to conditions in developing countries, where rapid transport of specimens may not be possible and cost factors may be decisive. Recommended procedures, tests, and techniques are supported by close to 150 references. Noting the constraints on staff and resources faced by most laboratories throughout the world, the manual concentrates on tests known to yield essential diagnostic information. Standard antimicrobial susceptibility tests are described for those diseases where drug resistance is a problem. Although the major emphasis is on procedures for diagnosis, case-finding, and test-of-cure, some procedures useful in epidemiological research are also included. The manual has nine chapter covering the full range of sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhoea "Chlamydia trachomatis "infection, syphilis, genital herpes, chancroid granuloma inguinale, vaginitis in adults, human papillomavirus infection, and human immunodeficiency virus. Each chapter opens with a brief description of the disease and the principal laboratory approaches to diagnosis, followed by detailed advice on the collection and transport of specimens. Against this background, all relevant laboratory methods, from microscopy, culture and non-culture techniques to serology and the use of commercial test kits, are described in detail, with colour plates used to illustrate selected procedures and results. Apart from providing detailed step-by-step instructions for each procedure, the manual offers abundant practical advice on the selection of tests, their comparative sensitivity, and specificity, the degree of skill required, the correct interpretation of results, and common errors and how to avoid them. The chapter on HIV infection reproduces the latest joint UNAIDS and WHO recommendations for the selection and use of HIV antibody tests. Further practical guidance for each of these diseases is provided in three annexes, which summarize appropriate diagnostic tests at different levels of the laboratory system, describe the media, reagents, and stains required for the tests, and list all the basic products needed to prepare essential reagents and media.