Francisella tularensis: Biology, Pathogenicity, Epidemiology, and Biodefense

Emerging Infectious Diseases • www.cdc.gov/eid • Vol. 13, No. 12, December 2007 1973 Two especially informative chapters, the fi rst and last, introduce several emerging viral disease agents that affect humans. The authors provide a synthesis of factors that could be associated with the emergence of novel viral agents, such as environmental change, altered human demographics, and human behavior. They also discuss the defi ning mechanisms through which emerging viral disease can be identifi ed and monitored. The text outlines basic virologic characterization such as replication strategy and the role of known viral proteins in viral pathogenesis, diagnostics, treatment, and vaccine availability. Additionally, it covers epidemiology of agents, relative disease manifestation, and disease patterns identifi ed in human populations. My only criticism regarding this fi ne resource is the lack of a consistent level of information presented for each viral agent. In some cases, for example, extensive information was presented on the role of all known viral proteins in replication of the virus and how these proteins contribute to disease manifestations. For other agents, the epidemiology was highlighted with relatively no coverage of viral pathogenesis. Many of the chapters are easily readable by the general public, yet the level of detail within most of the sections makes this also an excellent reference text for research and public health professionals. I recommend this book for anyone interested in obtaining a broad perspective on the emergence of viral diseases that affect humans.