The Resistance Phenomenon in Microbes and Infectious Disease Vectors

The resistance topic is timely given current events. The emergence of mysterious new diseases, such as SARS, and the looming threat of bioterrorist attacks remind us of how vulnerable we can be to infectious agents. With advances in medical technologies, we have tamed many former microbial foes, yet with few new antimicrobial agents and vaccines in the pipeline, and rapidly increasing drug resistance among infectious microbes, we teeter on the brink of loosing the upperhand in our ongoing struggle against these foes, old and new. The Resistance Phenomenon in Microbes and Infectious Disease Vectors examines our understanding of the relationships among microbes, disease vectors, and human hosts, and explores possible new strategies for meeting the challenge of resistance.

Table of Contents

Front MatterSummary and Assessment1. Introduction2. Microbe Resistance3. Vector Resistance4. The Economics of Resistance5. Factors Contributing to the Emergence of Resistance6. Emerging Tools and Technology for Countering Resistance7 Strategies to Contain the Development and Consquences of ResistanceAppendix A: Publc Health Consquences of Use of Antimicrobial Agents in AgricultureAppendix B: Agenda: Issues of Resistance: Microbes,Vectors, and the HostAppendix C: Information ResourcesAppendix D: Executive Summary: WHO ReportAppendix E: Executive Summary: GFHR ReportAppendix F: Executive Summary: Interagency Task Force ReportAppendix G: Forum Member, Speaker, and Staff Biographies