This is an excellent addition to the Humana Press series, "Methods in Molecular Medicine." The text is meant as a manual for STD investigators, covering all aspects of the molecular protocols for both laboratory diagnosis and investigating the epidemiology and management of sexually transmitted diseases. It describes several molecular techniques such as probe hybridization, LCR, PCR, pulse-field techniques for genotyping, and techniques for quantitative viral (HIV- 1) loads. This manual should be viewed as a primary resource encompassing diagnostic techniques currently used by prominent STD investigators and clinical laboratories specializing in the recovery of these microbial pathogens. The audience for this manual should include: clinical microbiologists engaged in molecular diagnostic studies; independent STD investigators; graduate students; epidemiologists engaged in molecular studies of STD transmission; and novice clinical scientists who require a well documented authoritative resource of the application of molecular techniques in STD research. The organization of this text is similar to other manuals in the Humana Press series, beginning with a general outline of the topic, discussion of specific molecular techniques, and a concise material and methods section. The discussion at the end of each chapter is supplemented with a "notes section" that the contributors have included to help the reader through the pitfalls often encountered when learning or applying new laboratory techniques. An extensive and recent literature citation is available at the end of each chapter. It is of importance to note that the techniques discussed in the various chapters often include a widerange of clinical samples such as swab, tissue, and body fluid analysis. This is a highly valuable and unique text since it describes molecular techniques for a wide range of STD pathogens (for example, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, HBV, and HIV- 1). Fifty percent of the text is dedicated to describing diagnostic techniques currently used in the clinical or research laboratory. Five chapters have also been included that discuss methods appropriate for epidemiologic studies. The credibility of the text is greatly enhanced by the outstanding group of international STD investigators, which the authors have assembled for the purpose of developing a concise yet authoritative laboratory resource. This text would be a valuable acquisition for both STD investigators and students contemplating laboratory or clinical studies in this area of medicine.
Comprises 14 contributions on molecular protocols for the laboratory diagnosis and study of STDs, with coverage of the major sexually transmitted pathogens including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Haemophilius ducreyl, Treponema pallidum, and herpes simplex. Methods covered include probe hybridization, PCR, LCR, TMA, pulse field gel electrophoresis, and NASBA. Of interest to clinical microbiologists, virologists, infectious disease specialists, and epidemiologists. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
Reviewer: Charles E. Edmiston, Jr., PhD (Medical College of Wisconsin)
Description: This is an excellent addition to the Humana Press series, "Methods in Molecular Medicine." The text is meant as a manual for STD investigators, covering all aspects of the molecular protocols for both laboratory diagnosis and investigating the epidemiology and management of sexually transmitted diseases.
Purpose: It describes several molecular techniques such as probe hybridization, LCR, PCR, pulse-field techniques for genotyping, and techniques for quantitative viral (HIV- 1) loads. This manual should be viewed as a primary resource encompassing diagnostic techniques currently used by prominent STD investigators and clinical laboratories specializing in the recovery of these microbial pathogens.
Audience: The audience for this manual should include: clinical microbiologists engaged in molecular diagnostic studies; independent STD investigators; graduate students; epidemiologists engaged in molecular studies of STD transmission; and novice clinical scientists who require a well documented authoritative resource of the application of molecular techniques in STD research.
Features: The organization of this text is similar to other manuals in the Humana Press series, beginning with a general outline of the topic, discussion of specific molecular techniques, and a concise material and methods section. The discussion at the end of each chapter is supplemented with a "notes section" that the contributors have included to help the reader through the pitfalls often encountered when learning or applying new laboratory techniques. An extensive and recent literature citation is available at the end of each chapter. It is of importance to note that the techniques discussed in the various chapters often include a wide range of clinical samples such as swab, tissue, and body fluid analysis.
Assessment: This is a highly valuable and unique text since it describes molecular techniques for a wide range of STD pathogens (for example, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, HBV, and HIV- 1). Fifty percent of the text is dedicated to describing diagnostic techniques currently used in the clinical or research laboratory. Five chapters have also been included that discuss methods appropriate for epidemiologic studies. The credibility of the text is greatly enhanced by the outstanding group of international STD investigators, which the authors have assembled for the purpose of developing a concise yet authoritative laboratory resource. This text would be a valuable acquisition for both STD investigators and students contemplating laboratory or clinical studies in this area of medicine.
"This is an excellent addition to the Humana Press series, "Methods in Molecular Medicine." This is a highly valuable and unique text since it describes molecular techniques for a wide range of STD pathogens. . . Fifty percent of the text is dedicated to describing diagnostic techniques currently used in the clinical or research laboratory. . . The credibility of the text is greatly enhanced by the outstanding group of international STD investigators, which the authors have assembled for the purpose of developing a concise yet authoritative laboratory resource. This text would be a valuable acquisition for both STD investigators and students contemplating laboratory or clinical studies in this area of medicine. "-4 Stars, Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal
"The methods described are clearly written in a 'recipe' format . . .easy to follow and annotated with detailed notes. The amount of detail provided will enable investigators to get the methods working using this book alone."-Journal of Medical Microbiology
"This is an excellent, concise, and comprehensive manual. . .a very useful addition to the library of any laboratory wanting to take advantage of the exciting developments this new technology provides."-Molecular Biotechnology
"Drs. Peeling and Sparling have assembled a team of 24 international experts to prepare this volume, which is the first publication devoted solely to the molecular diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases. This book is particularly timely in that describes state-of-the-art methods for detecting sexually transmitted infections using molecular biology techniques, provides insights about the relative strengths and weaknesses of a number of different commercial and nonproprietary assays, and includes commentary on the traditional culture or serology procedures for detecting and characterizing bacterial and viral infections....this is a very useful volume that provides both reference information as well as step-by-step prools for performance of various molecular-based assays for detection of sexually transmitted pathogens. Any clinical laboratory that uses such technology for diagnostic testing, screening, or through a reference laboratory will find this textbook useful."-American Journal of Clinical Pathology
"This volume will help to achieve a rapid detection of the causative agents, which is a prerequisite for appropriate measures....It is concisely written, and should be used in the respective laboratories for either implementation of the procedures described or for critical review of own inhouse methods."-International Journal of Medical Microbiology
