BOOK REVIEWS Gary P. Wormser, Section Editor
Clostridia: Molecular Biology in the Post-Genomic Era Edited by Holger Bru¨ggemann and Gerhard Gottschalk Norfolk, United Kingdom: Caister Academic Press, 2009. 230 pp., Illustrated. $310.00 (hardcover).
The broad-based, multiauthor Clostridia: Molecular Biology in the Post-Genomic Era covers aspects of clostridial molecular biology ranging from those that the editors describe as “core” research topics, such as the biology and genetics of clostridial toxins, to new directions, such as the use of clostridia in tumor therapy, and it contains contributions from prominent researchers in the field of clostridia research. The first 4 chapters offer a comprehensive review of the genetics, regulation, structure, and mode of action of the botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins; Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin; the clostridial pore-forming toxins, including Clostridium septicum atoxin; and binary toxins. As might be expected, given its high profile as a nosocomial pathogen, there is extensive coverage of Clostridium difficile. Approximately one-third of the chapters are devoted wholly or mostly to this organism, with the key focus on how advances in genomics and genetic manipulation can contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis and population dynamics of C. difficile. These chapters address such topics as the molecular variability of the major virulence factors toxin A and toxin B, insights gleaned from the recent availability of the genome sequence of C. difClinical Infectious Diseases 2009; 49:486 2009 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permission to reuse, please contact
[email protected]. 1058-4838/2009/4903-0036$15.00 DOI: 10.1086/600037
ficile. strain 630, cell surface structures, and antibiotic-resistance mechanisms. The long and not hugely productive search for mutational tools for clostridia is well reviewed. This chapter highlights the development by the authors of the ClosTron system for clostridial gene knockout. The procedure has been shown to be rapid, efficient, and reproducible, and it is anticipated that the study of the stable mutants produced will advance functional genomic studies apace. Possibly the most interesting chapter, for these reviewers, was the discussion of the potential use of nonpathogenic clostridia to deliver therapeutic proteins into solid tumors, which is a promising area of research. The book contains a few minor faults: some failures of proofreading and the use of black and white illustrations, which renders some of them less informative than they would have been in color. This text would be useful for newcomers to the field who seek a broad review of the topic or for undergraduate students. It is unlikely to appeal strongly to those currently working with clostridia who are already familiar with the material from previously published papers. Allison Wroe and Thamarai Schneiders Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Campylobacter, Third Edition Edited by Irving Nachamkin, Christine M. Szymanski, and Martin J. Blaser Washington, DC: ASM Press, 2008. 732 pp. $169.95 (hardcover).
Like the preceding editions, the third edition of Campylobacter is an ambitious and authoritative compendium containing
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chapters on most of the pertinent issues related to human Campylobacter infection, and like the proceeding editions, the third edition is an essential reference for all scientists who are engaged in research of this important human pathogen. As the scientific knowledge about Campylobacter has grown during the past 2 decades, the size and scope of this book has grown with each edition. The third edition of Campylobacter contains 38 chapters written by 94 contributors from 15 countries. The third edition covers a broad range of topics, including clinical aspects, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of Campylobacter infection. Perhaps most importantly, because Campylobacter infection results in an important (and preventable) human health burden, the third edition again updates the current knowledge regarding several promising approaches aimed at prevention of human infection, including interventions on the farm and at chicken processing plants and efforts toward development of a vaccine for humans. Several key scientific developments have occurred related to Campylobacter infection in the 8 years since the publication of the second edition of Campylobacter in 2000. The most important is the sequencing of the genome of several Campylobacter species, including Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. These sequencing efforts have led to numerous advancements in understanding Campylobacter pathogenesis and epidemiology. Not surprisingly, the third edition, in addition to including updates of the key chapters from the second edition, contains a number of new chapters that describe these advances. The third edition of Campylobacter, for example, includes an almost complete revision of the section on pathogenesis and immunity, including the addition of 9 new chapters, and the addition of a new section on glycobiology, containing 5 new chapters, which reflects the
