Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Disease and Counterbioterrorism (Infectious Disease) [Hardcover]

Luther E. Lindler (Editor), Frank J. Lebeda (Editor), George Korch (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1588291847 | ISBN-13: 978-1588291844 | Publication Date: December 10, 2004 | Edition: 1

Prominent experts in biodefense research-many from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases-authoritatively delineate the universe of scientific, medical, and legal issues facing the biodefense research community. Regarding medical countermeasures and decontamination, the authors describe the treatment and pathogenesis of a variety of established pathogens (anthrax, plague, smallpox, Brucellosis, Glanders, and Coxiella burnettii) and review what is known about the aerosol route of infection and decontamination processes. They also examine how to discover the presence of these agents, or other previously unknown biological weapons, and detail the ongoing efforts to counter these agents, including proteomic and genomic analysis as a gateway to better diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccinations, genotyping, and forensics. Additional chapters discuss the development and use technology to identify and characterize these infectious organisms, emerging threats, and the development of countermeasures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews:

"Acts of bioterrorism have not happened since the end of World War II except the distribution of anthrax spores in the US postal system in 2001 … . This important book is dedicated and useful not only for governmental and public health workers but also for a broad group of readers up to practitioners who might come in contact with such events as the first ones." (Werner Köhler, International Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol. 295, 2005)

From the Back Cover

The release of nerve gas in the Tokyo subways, the spread of biological weapons, and the anthrax attack of 2001 in the United States demonstrate that not only is the threat of such menacing weapons real, but also that we must urgently prepare to deal with future acts of bioterrorism. In Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Diseases and Counterbioterrorism, prominent experts in biodefense research-many from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases-authoritatively delineate the universe of scientific, medical, and legal issues facing the biodefense research community. Regarding medical countermeasures and decontamination, the authors review the facts about both the aerosol route of infection and decontamination processes, and fully describe the pathogenesis and treatment of a variety of established pathogens (anthrax, plague, smallpox, Brucellosis, glanders, and Coxiella burnetii). They also examine how to discover the presence of these agents, or other previously unknown biological weapons, and the ongoing efforts to counter such agents, including proteomic and genomic analysis as a gateway to better diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccinations, genotyping, and forensics. Additional chapters discuss the development and use of technology to identify and characterize these infectious organisms and their emerging threats.
Comprehensive and authoritative, Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Diseases and Counterbioterrorism provides researchers, physicians, and policymakers with a sound basis for understanding not only the diseases caused by these infectious organisms, but also an appreciation of the universe of bioterrorism problems that must be mastered to develop effective countermeasures.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 624 pages
• Publisher: Humana Press; 1 edition (December 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588291847
• ISBN-13: 978-1588291844
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Biological & Chemical
  • #40 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Immunology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply an outstanding book!, October 12, 2007

By 

E. Offerdahl (Racine, WI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Disease and Counterbioterrorism (Infectious Disease) (Hardcover)

This book completely surpassed all of my expectations. It discusses topics from the perspective of microbiology, genetics, pathology, and of course, biological warfare. I'm more interested in the medical aspects of this topic, but the book had so much more than I could have ever expected!

My only complaint was that the CD that came with it only had an Acrobat file on it, telling me how to install Adobe's 'Digital Editions.' I assume the idea was to encourage me to purchase the electronic version of this and other books, but I was under the assumption that there would be additional material on the CD.

But nevertheless, an outstanding resource!

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biological Weapons Defense, July 12, 2006

By 

Kristina D. Ryden - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Disease and Counterbioterrorism (Infectious Disease) (Hardcover)

This is a great book. The only thing I don't like is that The chapters are only numbered at the beginning of each chapter. If you just open the book randomly, you don't know what chapter you are reading.