This unique volume presents an up-to-date review of one of the world's major health problems -- diseases caused by the four dengue viruses. It begins with an insightful story of the origin of dengue disease outbreaks, including the emergence of severe and fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever. The nature, structure and biology of the four dengue viruses are described, and a major portion of the book is focused on the epidemiology of dengue as a mosquito-borne disease. This is complemented by critiques of existing mosquito control programs by three groups of outstanding authorities. The strongest element of the volume is its comprehensive description of the current understanding of dengue disease pathogenesis, followed by an analysis of the pros and cons of five of the most controversial areas in the field: the WHO DEF case definition, secondary dengue infections, virulent viruses, the role of abnormal T cells and autoimmunity.

This publication is intended to contribute to prevention and control of the morbidity and mortality associated with dengue and to serve as an authoritative reference source for health workers and researchers. These guidelines are not intended to replace national guidelines but to assist in the development of national or regional guidelines. They are expected to remain valid for five years (until 2014), although developments in research could change their validity.--Publisher's description.

Scientific research on dengue has a long and rich history. The literature has been touched by famous names in medicine- Benjamin Rush, Walter Reed, and Albert Sabin, to name a very few- and has been fertile ground for medical historians . The advances made in those early investigations are all the more remarkable for the limited tools available at the time. The demonstration of a viral etiology for dengue fever, the recognition of mosquitoes as the vector for transmission to humans, and the existence of multiple viral variants (serotypes) with only partial cross-protection were all accomplished prior to the ability to culture and characterize the etiologic agent. Research on dengue in this period was typically driven by circumstances. Epidemics of dengue created public health crises, although these were relatively short-lived in any one location, as the population of susceptible individuals quickly shrank. Military considerations became as a major driving force for research. With the introduction of large numbers of non-immune individuals into endemic areas, dengue could cripple military readiness, taking more soldiers out of action than hostile fire. Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever, which assumed pandemic proportions during the latter half of the last century, have shown no indication of slowing their growth during this first decade of the twenty-first century. Challenges remain in understanding the basic mechanisms of viral replication and disease pathogenesis, in clinical management of patients, and in control of dengue viral transmission. Nevertheless, new tools and insights have led to major recent scientific advances. As the first candidate vaccines enter large-scale efficacy trials, there is reason to hope that we may soon "turn the corner" on this disease.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease found around the world that is caused by four closely related, but distinct, types of viruses commonly transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Triggering excessive bleeding, dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue hemorrhagic shock can be fatal. Dengue Fever and Other Hemorrhagic Viruses explores the biology of the dengue virus and similar viruses such as Ebola, Marburg virus, and Lassa fever, as well as their symptoms, where they are commonly found, how they are transmitted, and the efforts to treat and eradicate them.Chapters include: Ins and Outs of Dengue; Hemorrhagic Fevers; Vectors - Bugs That Carry Disease; The Immune System: Our Line of Defense; and, Vaccination - Waking Up the Army in Us.

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2008 in the subject Biology - Ecology, grade: 1,3, University of Heidelberg (Fakult t f r Biowissenschaften), 53 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Mosquito (Culicidae) fauna, biological methods to control Ae. aegypti larvae and community participation regarding the present dengue situation and vector control program were evaluated in Chulucanas district, Piura Department, Peru. The study included collection and identification of mosquito larvae in surrounding towns of and in Chulucanas city. Following mosquito species were found: Ae. aegypti, Ae. scapularis, Ae. serratus, An. albimanus, An. pseudopunctipennis, Cx. nigripalpus and Cx. pipiens quinquefasciatus. Two comparative residual effect tests with Bti-based Culinex Tab plus(R) and Temephos-based Temefar(R) 1%G were performed in large and small water volumes under laboratory conditions. In the tests with large water volumes, Temefar(R) 1%G and Culinex Tab plus(R) showed a residual effect of 9 weeks (100% and 75% mortality, respectively), and, in tests with small water volumes, a residual effect of 7 weeks (100% mortality for both larvicides). Three efficacy tests performed with Culinex Tab plus(R) at three houses in Chulucanas city under field conditions showed 100% mortality after 24 h of larvicide application. In connection with this tests, an adult person living in each house was interviewed regarding Bti- and Temephos-based larvicides, the present vector control program and community participation. Considering these interviews, a personal testimonial, other statistical social data such as poverty levels, socioeconomic indicators and one survey concerning approval of the present vector control program, it is concluded that lack of knowledge of handling with larvicides and low acceptation regarding present vector control activities may be the main causes for the dengue outbreak in June, 2008.