Emerging Pathogens: The Archaeology, Ecology, and Evolution of Infectious Disease - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198509014 ISBN 13: 9780198509011

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2002

Synopsis

Many ancient diseases with a long history of afflicting mankind such as Tuberculosis and Malaria are now re-emerging. Greenblatt brings together palaeopathologists, anthropologists, molecular biologists and modern infectious disease specialists to examine this phenomenon. New techniques allow us to detect ancient pathogen DNA and other biomarkers, in effect the chemical 'signatures' of pathogens. These tools could help us develop strategies to combat modern emerging diseases.

This book focuses on ancient diseases in order to bridge the gap that has for so long separated today's infectious disease specialists and the paleopathologists who describe pathology in skeletal and mummified remains. Linking these two research communities, and incorporating the views of anthropologists, medical ecologists and molecular/evolutionary biologists, will hopefully promote a better understanding of this complex but vitally important field. A more thorough knowledge of the impact of evolutionary biology on the host-parasite relationship may even enable us to coexist with these pathogenic micro-organisms.

The book is intended to stimulate debate and co-operation between infectious disease specialists, medical researchers, archaeologists, anthropologists and evolutionary biologists.

About this title

Review:

... a fascinating book ... it succeeds quite well in bringing together a rather diverse set of approaches that are not often considered the business of 'mainstream' microbiology. It will appeal to final year microbiology undergraduates and postgraduates as well as senior researchers in bioarchaeology. (MicroBiology Today)

... provocative and informative. (The Lancet)

This is a very nicely produced book that contains much that is likely to be of interest to readers of the Transactions and the editors are to be congratulated on their initiative in producing a book that can truly be said to be original and for drawing so much disparate information together. (Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)

This publication is of importance for anybody with an interest in these pathogens. (European Journal of Protistology.)

About the Author:

Former Director, Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, and Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Christ's College, Cambridge.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0198509014
• ISBN 13: 9780198509011
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264
• Editor: Greenblatt Charles