Resulting from a Royal Society discussion meeting, this volume presents a short review of the topic of parasite-host co-evolution. Current thinking on evolution in parasites, viruses and other pathogens is discussed.

Genetics and Evolution of Infectious Diseases, Third Edition discusses the evolving field of infectious diseases and their continued impact on the health of populations, especially in resource-limited areas of the world where they must confront the dual burden of death and disability due to infectious and chronic illnesses. Although substantial gains have been made in public health interventions for the treatment, prevention, and control of infectious diseases, in recent decades the world has witnessed the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing antimicrobial resistance, and the emergence of many new bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral pathogens. Fully updated and revised, this new edition presents the consequences of such diseases, the evolution of infectious diseases, the genetics of host-pathogen relationship, and the control and prevention strategies that are, or can be, developed. This book offers valuable information to biomedical researchers, clinicians, public health practitioners, decisions-makers, and students and postgraduates studying infectious diseases, microbiology, medicine, and public health that is relevant to the control and prevention of neglected and emerging worldwide diseases. - Takes an integrated approach to infectious diseases - Provides the latest developments in the field of infectious diseases - Focuses on the contribution of evolutionary and genomic studies for the study and control of transmissible diseases - Includes updated and revised contributions from leading authorities, along with six new chapters

From HIV to influenza, the battle between infectious agents and the immune system is at the heart of disease. Knowledge of how and why parasites vary to escape recognition by the immune system is central to vaccine design, the control of epidemics, and our fundamental understanding of parasite ecology and evolution. As the first comprehensive synthesis of parasite variation at the molecular, population, and evolutionary levels, this book is essential reading for students and researchers throughout biology and biomedicine. The author uses an evolutionary perspective to meld the terms and findings of molecular biology, immunology, pathogen biology, and population dynamics. This multidisciplinary approach offers newcomers a readable introduction while giving specialists an invaluable guide to allied subjects. Every aspect of the immune response is presented in the functional context of parasite recognition and defense--an emphasis that gives structure to a tremendous amount of data and brings into sharp focus the great complexity of immunology. The problems that end each chapter set the challenge for future research, and the text includes extensive discussion of HIV, influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and many other pathogens. This is the only book that treats in an integrated way all factors affecting variation in infectious disease. It is a superb teaching tool and a rich source of ideas for new and experienced researchers. For molecular biologists, immunologists, and evolutionary biologists, this book provides new insight into infectious agents, immunity, and the evolution of infectious disease.

Part 1. Analysis and Inheritance of Resistance VariationChapters by George G. Kennedy and James D. Barbour; John A. Barrett; Ellen L. Simms and Mark A. Rausher; and Mary R. Berenbaum and Arthur R. ZangerlPart 2. Evolutionary Responses to Plant Resistance by Herbivores and PathogensChapters by Lawrence Wilhoit; Diana Pilson; Arthur E. Weis; and James Groth and Barbara ChristPart 3. Population and Community Responses to Plant Resistance VariationChapters by Richard Karban; A. Joseph Pollard; Robert S. Fritz; and J. Daniel HarePart 4. Evolution of Plant ResistanceRobert J. Marquis; Helen M. Alexander; Matthew A. Parker; Arthur R. Zangeri and Fahkri A. Bazzaz; Ellen L. Simms; and Janis AntonovicsReferences Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical enzyme in both folate and homocysteine metabolism. It first achieved medical recognition in 1972 with the report of severe deficiency of MTHFR in a patient with homocystinuria, an inborn error of metabolism characterized by marked elevation of homocyst(e)ine in plasma and urine. Although the majority of cases of homocystinuria are due to a deficiency of the first enzyme in the transsulfuration pathway for homocysteine metabolism, cystathionine-ß-synthase (CBS), disruption of homocysteine remethylation to methionine can also result in homocystinuria. With the identification of additional patients with severe MTHFR deficiency, the heterogeneity of this disorder became manifest. This book covers many of the complex traits that have been reported to be influenced by the well-characterized 677C→T variant; there is less information on the 1298A→C variant, but it is discussed where appropriate. It is quite surprising, and unique, that a single variant should influence such a wide variety of clinical conditions.

Infectious diseases are continuing to threaten humankind. While some diseases have been controlled, new diseases are constantly appearing. Others are now reappearing in forms that are resistant to drug treatments. A capacity for continual re-adaptation furnishes pathogens with the power to escape our control efforts through evolution. This makes it imperative to understand the complex selection pressures that are shaping and reshaping diseases. Modern models of evolutionaryepidemiology provide powerful tools for creating, expressing, and testing such understanding. Bringing together international leaders in the field, this volume offers a panoramic tour of topical developments in understanding the mechanisms of disease evolution. The volume's first part elucidates the generalconcepts underlying models of disease evolution. Methodological challenges addressed include those posed by spatial structure, stochastic dynamics, disease phases and classes, single- and multi-drug resistance, the heterogeneity of host populations and tissues, and the intricate coupling of disease evolution with between-host and within-host dynamics. The book's second part shows how these methods are utilized for investigating the dynamics and evolution of specific diseases, includingHIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, SARS, malaria, and human rhinovirus infections. This volume is particularly suited for introducing young scientists and established researchers with backgrounds in mathematics, computer science, or biology to the current techniques and challenges of mathematical evolutionaryepidemiology.

Genetic polymorphisms are important determinants of phenotypic variations and may modulate the risk to or even cause various diseases including genetic disorders and multifactorial diseases. Genetic polymorphisms also serve as important genetic, population and evolutionary markers that allow the study of genetic and evolutionary aspects of individuals, populations and organisms and aid in tracing the evolutionary and parental lineages. Genetic polymorphisms in low penetrance genes are responsible for the alterations in the gene expression of critical signal transduction proteins and metabolic enzymes. Some of these polymorphisms are linked to increased susceptibility to various diseases especially cancers, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, neurological pathologies. This book collates the reviews on the roles played by polymorphisms in critical metabolic, signal transduction, cell cycle or DNA repair genes either directly or indirectly in the disease mechanisms. The focus is on various techniques for identifying the various Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Polymorphism studies document the affect SNPs, and their expressions have upon the functionality of the enzymes, proteins. Key Features Describes the genetic polymorphism and its various types Discusses the role of genetic polymorphisms in modulating the risk of various human diseases Explores various molecular techniques used for detecting GPs Characterizes the role of SNPs in modulating the susceptibility of human diseases Provides a genetic basis for individual variations in response to therapeutics

This book is published on the occasion of the Royal Entomological Society's Symposium on Insect infection and immunity in Sheffield, July 15-17 2009.