In light of the rapidity increasing incidence rate of bacterial and fungal infections with multi-resistant pathogens, the metabolic changes associated with host-pathogen interactions offer one of the most promising starting points for developing novel antibiotics. . Part one of this comprehensive guide describes the metabolic adaptation of pathogenic microbes in humans, while part two points to routes for the development of novel antibiotics. This is volume six of the book series on drug discovery in infectious diseases by Paul Selzer.

Streptococcus Pneumoniae: Molecular Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions provides a comprehensive overview of our existing knowledge on Streptococcus pneumoniae antibiotic resistance, dissemination, and pathogenesis, including immunology. It presents a state-of-the-art overview of the implications of existing data, along with the areas of research that are important for future insights into the molecular mechanisms of pneumococcal infections and how to combat these infections. Users will find a timely update on the topic, as the dramatic increase in antibiotic resistance pneumoniae cases and limitations of the currently available pneumoniae vaccines are creating new concerns on these gram-positive bacteria that are endowed with a high virulence potential, and are the most common etiologic agent of respiratory and life-threatening invasive diseases. - Provides an updated overview of our existing knowledge on Streptococcus pneumoniae antibiotic resistance, dissemination, and pathogenesis, including immunology - Helps strengthen interdisciplinary networking and the focus of scientific resources by targeting epidemiology, vaccines, genetics, antibiotic resistance, clonal dissemination, Streptococcus pneumoniae biology, functional genomics, inflammasome, biomarkers, and more - Multi-authored by leaders in the field who present a state-of-the-art overview of what the implications are of existing data, and the areas of research that are important for future insights into the molecular mechanisms of pneumococcal infections - Supports combinatory networking in order to find new solutions in clinical therapies - Reflects the most topical pneumococcal research trends

This book summarizes the progress in studies of tuberculosis host-pathogen interactions from several perspectives: molecular microbiology, immunology, animal models, clinical studies, epidemiology, and drug discovery. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a severe global public health problem. Complex interactions between environmental, microbial and host factors lead to clinically relevant infections. Studies on bacterial virulence, host-genetic, and immunological factors contributing to the susceptibility to TB provide an ever-growing foundation of knowledge that is critical to finding new interventions. Studies of immune mechanisms against M. tuberculosis infection have identified immunological markers associated with specific phenotypes in the host, providing insight into how they may be used to augment current treatment strategies. Recent advances in diagnosis, therapeutics and vaccines, as well as basic-research oriented studies have shed light on the development of new directions for prevention, treatment and control of TB. Improved understanding of the interplay between the bacterium and host is a key component of reducing incidence worldwide.

The book offers an integrated overview of plant–pathogen interactions. It discusses all the steps in the pathway, from the microbe–host-cell interface and the plant’s recognition of the microbe to the plant’s defense response and biochemical alterations to achieve tolerance / resistance. It also sheds light on the classes of pathogens (bacteria, fungus and viruses); effector molecules, such as PAMPs; receptor molecules like PRRs and NBS-LRR proteins; signaling components like MAPKs; regulatory molecules, such as phytohormones and miRNA; transcription factors, such as WRKY; defense-related proteins such as PR-proteins; and defensive metabolites like secondary metabolites. In addition, it examines the role of post-genomics, high-throughput technology (transcriptomics and proteomics) in studying pathogen outbreaks causing crop losses in a number of plants. Providing a comprehensive picture of plant-pathogen interaction, the updated information included in this book is valuable for all those involved in crop improvement.

In recent decades, infectious diseases, once believed to be fairly contained, have become a vital, resurgent field of research. In Host-Pathogen Interactions: Methods and Protocols, top experts examine the relationship between the host and the pathogen, crucial in the outcome of an infection and the establishment of disease or asymptomatic, commensal colonization by organisms. The step-by-step laboratory methods and protocols of this volume study host-pathogen interaction, with a focus on fungal, bacterial and parasitic pathogens, at a molecular level in order to reveal the mechanisms of infection and to identify the vulnerabilities of the pathogen of interest. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, the chapters feature brief subject introductions, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Host-Pathogen Interactions: Methods and Protocols serves as an easy entry point for all those investigating the factors responsible for the pathogenicity of microorganisms.

Besides causing direct damage associated with blood feeding and in some cases through the excretion of toxins with their saliva, the main relevance of ticks lies in the wide variety of pathogens that they can transmit, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths. Owing to socioeconomic and environmental changes, tick distribution is changing with incursions of ticks and tick-borne diseases occurring in different regions of the world when the widespread deployment of chemical acaricides and repellents has led to the selection of resistance in multiple populations of ticks. New approaches that are environmentally sustainable and that provide broad protection against current and future tick-borne pathogen (TBP) are thus urgently needed. Such development, however, requires improved understanding of factors resulting in vector competence and tick-host-pathogen interactions. This Research Topic provides an overview of known molecular tick-host-pathogen interactions for a number of TBPs and highlights how this knowledge can contribute to novel control and prevention strategies for tick-borne diseases.

Linking the past, present and future of Colletotrichum systematics; The importance of phylogeny in understanding host relationships within Colletotrichum; Genetic regulation of sexual compatibility in Glomerella graminicola; Vegetative compatibility in Colletotrichum; Dissecting the cell biology of Colletotrichum infection processes; Early molecular communication between Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and its host; Regulation of melanin biosynthesis genes during appressorium formation by Colletotrichum lagenarium; Colletotrichum as a model system for defining the genetic basis of fungal symbiotic life styles; Genetic diversity and host specificity of Colletotrichum species on various fruits; Inter- and intra-species variation in Colletotrichum and mechanism which affect population structure; Gene transfer and expression in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose on Stylosanthes;The endopolygalacturonases of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum: Molecular characterization, gene expression, and elicitor activity; Signal exchange during Colletotrichum trifolii-alfalfa interactions; Resistance mechanisms of subtropical fruits to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; Colletotrochum strains for weed control; Potential for biological controI of diseases caused by Colletotrichum; Colletotrichum diseases of strawberries in Florida; Biology and controI of anthracnose diseases of citrus; Occurrence and management of anthracnose epidemics cause Colletotrichum species on tree fruit crops in California; Recent advances in understanding Colletotrichum diseases of some tropical perennial crops; Host-pathogen interaction and viability of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum; Colletotrichum coccodes on potato; The biology of Colletotrichum graminicola and maize anthracnose.;

A comprehensive examination of this burgeoning area of important research.

There has been a significant surge of interest in the study of the physiology and biochemistry of plant host-parasite interactions in recent years, as evidenced by the number of research papers currently being published on the subject. The in creased interest is probably based on the evidence that effective management of many plant diseases is, for the most part, contingent upon a clear understanding of the nature of host-parasite interactions. This intensified research effort calls for a greater number of books, such as this one, designed to compile, synthesize, and evaluate widely scattered pieces of information on this subject. The study of host-parasite interactions concerns the struggle between plants and pathogens, which has been incessant throughout their coevolution. Such in teractions are often highly complex. Pathogens have developed sophisticated of fensive systems to parasitize plants, while plants have evolved diversified defen sive strategies to ward off potential pathogens. In certain cases, the outcome of a specific host-parasite interaction seems to depend upon the presence or efficacy of the plant's defense system. A plant may become diseased when a parasite manages to invade it, unhindered by preexisting defense systems and/or without eliciting the plant's induced resistance response(s). Absence of disease may re flect the inability of the invading pathogen to overcome the plant's defense sys tem(s).