Fundamentals of Veterinary Microbiology

A compact and accessible guidebook exploring current understanding of common bacterial and fungal pathogens of animals. Fundamentals of Veterinary Microbiology brings together knowledge and understanding of the bacterial pathogens of animals from disease signs and diagnostic methods to the molecular basis of the host pathogen interaction. A small but focused book, it enables the reader to access important information during diagnosis and treatment in a clinically relevant way. Suitable as a companion for study on the subject and for professional use, the author focuses on the more clinically common diseases at the general and first-referral level. Divided into three sections, the first covers the basics of bacterial microbiology such as structure, growth and genetics. The second examines the commonly encountered bacterial pathogens, with emphasis on current understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of infection and immunity. The third section explores the current state of knowledge of those fungi involved in infection of animals. Specific topics covered in Fundamentals of Veterinary Microbiology include: Nutrition, sterilization, and disinfection of bacteria, bacterial genes and gene transfer, pathogenicity and host response, and vaccination Antimicrobials (action, dynamics, and resistance), typing and identification of pathogens, fungi as agents of disease, Salmonella and E. coli in animal disease and public health Pathogens transmitted by vectors such as Borrelia, those of endogenous origin such as Clostridium and Pasteurella and those able to spread widely such as Leptospira, Mycobacterium and Chlamydia Fungal pathogens causing superficial, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses Fundamentals of Veterinary Microbiology is an essential resource for veterinary students, veterinary nurses, and veterinary practitioners worldwide, allowing them to quickly establish a foundation of knowledge of bacterial pathogens based on clear understanding gained from studies over recent decades.

Table of Contents:
Preface xvii About the Companion Website xix 1 The Bacterial Cell 1 2 Metabolism, Growth and Culture of Bacteria 9 3 Sterilisation and Disinfection 15 4 Bacterial Genes and Gene Transfer 23 5 Bacterial Pathogenicity 29 6 Bacterial Veterinary Vaccines 39 7 Antimicrobials: Action, Dynamics and Resistance 43 8 Bacterial Typing 51 9 Salmonella 55 10 Escherichia coli – An Intestinal Pathogen 63 11 Escherichia coli as an Extraintestinal Pathogen 69 12 Campylobacter – Hyperendemic on the Farm 75 13 Leptospira – Using Urine to Spread 81 14 Lyme Disease – Ticks and Dogs 87 15 Brachyspira 91 16 Pasteurella 93 17 Pseudomonas and Burkholderia 97 18 Bordetella 101 19 Delicate Gram-negative Bacteria 105 20 Mannheimia, Actinobacillus and Other Pasteurellaceae 111 21 Chlamydia – A Stealthy Pathogen 117 22 Bovine Tuberculosis and Johne's Disease 121 23 Bacillus anthracis 129 24 Clostridium 133 25 Staphylococcus – Skin and Soft Tissue Infection 143 26 Streptococcus 149 27 Nocardia, Actinomyces and Dermatophilus – The Filamentous Pathogens 155 28 Prescottella (Rhodococcus) equi 159 29 Corynebacterium – CLA 163 30 Listeria – Growing in the Fridge 165 31 Erysipelothrix and Trueperella 169 32 Mycoplasma – Cell-associated Pathogens 173 33 Rickettsia – Arthropod Vector-borne Pathogens 179 34 Fungi as Agents of Disease 183 35 Aspergillus – Strength in Numbers 187 36 Dermatophytes – Keratinolytic Fungi 191 37 Yeasts: Malassezia, Candida and Cryptococcus 195 38 Dimorphic Fungal Infections 199 Index 205

About the Author :
Andrew N. Rycroft, BSc (Hons), PhD, FRCPath, is Emeritus Professor of Clinical and Veterinary Microbiology at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, in the UK. He spent 9 years as lecturer at Glasgow University Veterinary School before moving to the RVC in 1992. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists.