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

by Charles Greenblatt, Mark Spigel

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198509011
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/10/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	264
Sales rank:	178,688
Product dimensions:	9.78(w) x 7.47(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

The Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Israel

The Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Israel

Table of Contents

1. The Evolutionary Context of Pathogenesis, Greenblatt2. Disease and the Evolution of Primates, Martin3. Bacterial Symbionts of Protozoa - Potential Pathogens?, Gortz4. The Microbiology of Amber, Cano5. Evolution of Arthropod Disease Vectors, Black6. Prelude to Human Disease, Baum7. Infectious Processes Around the Dawn of Civilization, Rothschild8. The State and Future of Palaeoepidemiology, Cohen9. Anthropological Perspectives on the Study of Ancient Disease, Ubelaker10. Evolution, infection, and the study of ancient diseases, Ewald11. The Spread of Human Disease, Matheson12. Ancient DNA Can Identify Disease Elements, Herrmann13. Reconstruction of Palaeoepidemiology, Dutour14. The Archaeology of Enteric Infection, Nataro15. Palaeomicrobiology of Human Pathogens: state of the art and looking to the future, Spigelman16. Archaevirology: Characterization of the 1918 'Spanish' Influenza Pandemic Virus, Taubenberger17. A Virtual Discussion: new technologies and lessons for the future, Greenblatt

Editorial Reviews

"...a fascinating book... it suceeds quite well in putting 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 bioarcheology." — Microbiology Today

"...provacative 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 inituative 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

From the Publisher