Intracellular Parasites

Volume 18 of the Subcellular Biochemistry series, which specializes in various aspects of the biochemistry of the intracellular parasites, was initially proposed by Jose Luis Avila and strongly supported by myself, as Series Editor of Sub cellular Biochemistry. Considerable assistance was received from Professor Frank Wunderlich (University of Dusseldorf) and more particularly from Dr. Michael Miles (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) during the compilation of the list of possible chapters. Our initial aim was to present a comprehensive survey of this broad field of study. Although some interesting topics have been lost due to authors backing out late in the production schedule of the book, the manuscripts that were submitted have provided a useful over view of the subject, with notable strength within the field of Leishmania. The 13 chapters of the book have been grouped according to subject. The first five chapters deal with Leishmania and are followed by two chapters on Try ponosoma cruzi, two on the malarial parasites, and two on the Coccidia. The fmal two chapters cover the Microsporidia and chemotherapy, respectively.

This publication is a collection of essays on the biology of intracellular parasitisms where both bacterial and protozoan parasites are discussed. The juxtaposition of authors representing fields of research emphasizes the many common problems facing intracellular parasites and the hosts that harbor them. In addition, numerous illustrations of how different parasites and host attempt to solve these problems in different ways are provided. The book includes one or more chapters on Bdellovibrio, Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Coxiella, Legionella, Shigellae, Mycobacterium, Microsporidium, Plasmodium, and Toxoplasma. The authors frequently speculate and generalize on the subject matter discussed.

Intracellular Parasitic Protozoa introduces the basic structure and classification of intracellular parasitic protozoa and the concept of parasitism. This book starts by discussing the concept of parasitism and the taxonomic background of various intracellular protozoan organisms. This is followed by a description of the relationships between intracellular protozoan and their host cells. Then, this book discusses the ultrastructure of cells and organisms, emphasizing cell morphology that serves as the primary basis of generalizations of the host cell-parasite relationships. It also presents the intracellular protozoa in several groups according to their probable taxonomic relationships and more obvious morphological similarities. Finally, this text describes protozoan fine structure, along with a brief discussion of their biological aspects. This book is ideal for researchers, teachers, and students who wish to gain more knowledge in parasitism caused by intracellular protozoa.

Bacterial pathogens whose development is restricted to the interior of eukaryotic cells encounter a unique set of hurdles to be overcome to enable growth. This issue is dedicated to the examination of the unique infection biology associated with this obligate intracellular existence. Distinct approaches to obligate intracellular parasitism will be covered by considering a range of molecular, cellular, and immunological mechanisms governing the overall success of pathogens including Chlamydia, Coxiella, Rickettsia, and Ehrlichia. The overall goal is to provide insight into both microbial and host mechanisms that enable colonization of a specialized intracellular niche.Bacterial pathogens whose development is restricted to the interior of eukaryotic cells encounter a unique set of hurdles to be overcome to enable growth. This issue is dedicated to the examination of the unique infection biology associated with this obligate intracellular existence. Distinct approaches to obligate intracellular parasitism will be covered by considering a range of molecular, cellular, and immunological mechanisms governing the overall success of pathogens including Chlamydia, Coxiella, Rickettsia, and Ehrlichia. The overall goal is to provide insight into both microbial and host mechanisms that enable colonization of a specialized intracellular niche.

Increasing wisdom and ingenuity are required if we are to master our environment and cope with the myriad of organisms that affect our existence. Not the least of these organisms are the parasites and pathogens which can be found in all animals. The ecological implications of parasitism are obvious, and the interrelationships among different organisms within the same host are fascinating, but more knowledge and understanding are needed. The symposium are held to stimulate discussion of the significance of ecological problems presented by parasites and to develop means of attacking some of these problems. The diversity of parasitism from protozoa to anthropods was emphasized and the speakers and topics were selected to interest those in various biological disciplines and professions. Organized by the Department of Parasitology in the School of Hygiene of the University of Toronto, and held at Toronto in February 1970, the symposium was an unqualified success. The enthusiastic interest, indicated by the attendance of over three hundred people from seven countries, and numerous requests for copies of the proceedings led to the publication in this volume of the twelve papers presented at the symposium. The opening remarks of the leader of the discussion which follow each paper have been included and a complete bibliography is provided for each topic. The contributors are leading specialists in their fields; their papers present the results of the most recent research and assemble and review the scattered literature on each topic. The text is illustrated throughout with diagrams and photographs. Parasitism and associated phenomena are excellent examples of problems requiring the interdisciplinary approach taken by the symposium. The results of such an approach are useful in a wide variety of disciplines: microbiology, invertebrate zoology, entomology, and tropical medicine, as well as parasitology.

In the past years, genome projects for numerous human parasites have been completed and now allow first in depth comparisons and evolutionary conclusions. The genomes of parasites reflect the coevolution with their host, metabolic capacities depending on their respective habitat in the host. Gut parasites usually have an anaerobic metabolism, while blood parasites have an aerobic metabolism, intracellular parasites escape the immune system, while extracellular parasites evade the immune system, usually by antigenic variation. Comprehensive genome data now being available allow us to address profound scientific questions, such as which traits enable the parasite to survive in the human host, which to cause disease and which can be used as drug targets. This book intends to give an overview of the state of knowledge on “the molecules” of protozoan parasites – on their genomes, proteomes, glycomes and lipidomes.

This book is about mechanisms of intracellular parasitism of Legionella, Listeria and Mycobacterium. The presented data illustrate the hypothesis that one of the ways by which intracellularly multiplying bacteria influence the bactericidal response of phagocytes is by altering signaling cascades in eukaryotes. To achieve this goal bacteria are capable to produce enzymes and other biologically active compounds which misdirect signaling pathways for the benefit of the parasites. The book is composed of two main parts. The first provides general information on signaling cascades in eukaryotic cells. Analysis of Legionella, Listeria and Mycobacterium products possessing regulatory activity toward metabolism of host cells, essentially by affecting signal transduction in eukaryotes, is performed in the second section.