Yersinia

Three members of the genus Yersinia are important human pathogens, causing diseases ranging from the deadly Plague (Yersinia pestis) to a relatively mild gastroenteritis (Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis). Plague, a re-emerging disease, is endemic in many parts of the world. The extraordinary pathogenicity of Y. pestis makes it a potential bioterrorist weapon. On the other hand, the two enteropathogenic Yersinia species represent the third most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis in Europe and probably elsewhere, although their prevalence is largely underestimated. This and the emergence of antibiotic resistant Y. pestis in recent years highlight the urgency to understand the mechanisms of pathogenicity and the need to devise new strategies for the prevention and control of human pathogenic Yersinia. In this book, leading Yersinia researchers review the hot topics in the systems biology and control of these important bacteria. Topics include: transcriptome analysis of the bacterial response to the host and of the host response to a Yersinia infection; proteome analysis of the bacterial and host responses; treatment and antibiotic resistance; vaccines; surveillance and control. Essential reading for everyone working on Yersinia and related organisms and recommended reading for researchers interested in biodefence, microbial genomics and the evolution of microbial virulence.