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Score: 94 |
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| Human Infectious Disease and Public Health |
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ISBN: 978-0-19-881438-2,
160 pages,
Soft Cover
ISBN-10: 0-19-881438-0 |
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| Copyright: |
2019 |
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| Edition: |
1st |
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| Author: |
Fullick, William, MBBS, MRCGP |
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Specialties:
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Infectious Disease
, Public Health |
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| Publisher: |
Oxford University Press |
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4000 CentreGreen Way |
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Cary, NC 27513 |
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UNITED STATES |
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http://global.oup.com/academic/contactus/find-a-rep |
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| Series Title: |
Oxford Biology Primers |
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| List Price: |
$25.95 |
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| Google: |
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At A Glance
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Infectious disease will affect most of us at some point in our lives, despite tremendous advances in medicine over the past century. We all still fall ill from pathogens in our everyday environments - but many of us now survive infections which would have proved fatal in the past. Our understanding of the nature of infectious diseases continues to grow - as does our understanding of the human immune system. We continue to develop drugs and public health regimens to attempt to treat or prevent more and more diseases from causing acute sickness and/or long-term health problems - and indeed, we have been successful at eradicating (or almost eradicating) a number of previously common illnesses over the past fifty years. This text explores the structure and function of each distinct type of pathogen (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and prion disease), as well as the biochemical processes taking place when an infection is caused by any of these agents. It goes on to look at the role the human immune system plays in preventing, containing and destroying pathogens which enter the human body, using up to date research to ensure that students are abreast of the most recent developments in immunology. The text also examines the "evolutionary arms race" between human beings and infectious disease, looking at genetic traits which confer protection against some infectious diseases, and how pathogens are constantly changing to work around our defences. The final section of the primer explores disease prevention and treatment - antibiotics, antivirals and antifungal agents and their mechanisms of action; public health and vaccination; the dangers of antibiotic resistance; and potential sources for new antimicrobial agents around the world.
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Reviewer:
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Marvin Bittner,
MD, MSc, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA
(Creighton University Medical Center)
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Range
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Question
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Score
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| 1-10 |
Are the author's objectives met? |
10 |
| 1-10 |
Rate the worthiness of those objectives. |
10 |
| 1-5 |
Is this written at an appropriate level? |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the authority of the authors. |
4 |
| 1-5 |
Are there sufficient illustrations? |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the print quality of the illustrations. |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Are there sufficient references? |
1 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the currency of the references. |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the pertinence of the references. |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the helpfulness of the index. |
5 |
| 1-5 |
If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book |
N/A |
| 1-10 |
Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? |
10 |
| 1-10 |
If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? |
N/A |
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Reviewer:
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Marvin Bittner,
MD, MSc, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA
(Creighton University Medical Center)
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Description
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| This 160-page book describes some of the most intriguing aspects of human infectious diseases, including history, microorganisms, immune defenses, antimicrobial drugs, public health approaches to control infection, and current challenges in the field such as antimicrobial resistance. |
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Purpose
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| This is one of the Oxford Biology Primers, a series which aims to encourage readers to explore biology for themselves, to find out more about the frontiers of biological sciences, and to recognize that biology is awe-inspiring in its variety and intricacy. These purposes are worthwhile and, in this book, achieved. |
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Audience
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| This series is intended for 16- to 19-year-olds studying the biosciences. Other topics covered in the series include hormones, plant diseases, conservation, and biochemistry. This book succeeds in its intent: to support the transition from school to undergraduate biology study by extending "the students' knowledge and inspiring them to take their school-level learning further." The author, a British physician in general practice with training in a number of specialties, demonstrates his expertise in this field. Other audiences may want to read this book: members of the general public who wish to explore fascinating aspects of infectious diseases and, as well, instructors at a variety of levels who are seeking intriguing material for their courses, such as the increase in asthma encountered with the treatment of parasitic infections. |
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Features
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| The book addresses a selection of intriguing concepts with lucid, engaging, well-illustrated explanations, many with case studies. Illustrations include maps, diagrams, historical illustrations, electron micrographs, and clinical photos. Scientific approach panels describe methods used to acquire knowledge. "Bigger picture panels" look at implications of biology that go beyond the laboratory to affect society, sometimes with ethical questions. Chapters include summaries, suggested reading (with URLs), and discussion questions. There is a glossary. By design the book is not comprehensive; Helicobacter pylori receives attention but not Clostridioides difficile. |
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Assessment
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| This book has been described elsewhere as "riveting and beautifully illustrated" and "informative and readable." It serves its principal audience well. In the pages of The New Yorker, John McPhee has made geology accessible and engrossing; Malcolm Gladwell has done much the same for aspects of psychology, as has Atul Gawande for medicine. This book performs a similar function for its subject. Consequently, this book may appeal to general readers. |
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