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Virus infections of birds
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E LS [~V I E R
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY Preventive Veterinary Medicine 21 ( 1994 ) 107-117
MEDICINE
Book Reviews
Virus infections of birds
Virus Infections of Birds. J.B. McFerran and M.S. McNulty (Editors), Virus Infections of Vertebrates, Vol. 4, M.C. Horzinek (Series Editor), Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1993, 621 pp., US$242.75 (Dfl. 425.00), ISBN 0-444-89899-9. The series editor has released the fourth of seven planned reviews of animal viral pathogens. This volume, like the series' predecessors, details the current knowledge concerning a group of animal viruses (those affecting avian hosts) with emphasis on clinical disease and related findings. The editors have effectively fulfilled this mandate, leaving detailed molecular studies to other works. McFerran and McNulty have organized the book according to the International Committee for the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) convention on viral taxonomy. Major headings for each virus family briefly describe the physical properties of virions, biology of virus replication, and taxonomic considerations within the family. Chapters describing the specific viruses belonging to that family then follow. The chapters are thorough and well organized, with sub-headings of virus properties, epizootiology, pathogenesis, disease signs, pathology, immune reaction, laboratory diagnosis, and prophylaxis and control in each. Several short reviews of related topics, such as syndromes of poultry with suspected viral etiologies, maintenance of specific pathogen-free flocks, and vaccination schedules for various viruses, are included at the end of the volume. Readers are provided with extensive reference lists following each chapter. The emphasis is on information considered useful for understanding disease prevention, diagnosis, and the role of each virus in the disease process. Chapters are very well illustrated, providing examples of clinical presentations and diagnostic lesions at the gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural levels. Figures and tables outline typical findings, stages of pathogenesis, serology, host range, and other information. The text is detailed, but well written and easy to follow. The authors have succeeded in reviewing the field from the intended zoocentric approach of the series. The series editor acknowledges the exclusion of hitherto unknown agents and viruses with little or no pathogenic significance. The reader is referred to the InElsevier Science B.V.
108
Book reviews / Preventive I2,terinary Medicine 21 (1994) 107-117
ternational Catalog of Arboviruses for information on this group of agents. Information concerning viral diseases of pet birds is limited. The brief paragraphs on the budgerigar fledgling disease virus, Pacheco's disease virus, and psittacine beak and feather disease virus may reflect an emphasis on poultry and other economically important hosts. This aspect was disappointing and the title might have easily been 'Virus Infections of Commercial Poultry'. The book will provide an excellent reference source for both students in an introductory veterinary medicine course and for those beginning advanced studies in avian medicine. It will be a useful addition to the libraries of all scientists studying avian viral pathogens. For a molecular biologist working in avian virology, like myself, the book will be invaluable for viewing these intracellular pathogens in the contexts of animal health and the economic realities of the poultry industry. This text has a niche on the shelves of scientists working with these agents and should be on the study list for all graduate students of avian medicine. It should also be present on the reference shelves of veterinary colleges for use by students in introductory virology. F. NIAGRO
Department of Medical Microbiology College of Veterinao, Medicine University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 USA SSDI 0 1 6 7 - 5 8 7 7 ( 9 4 ) 0 0 3 6 2 - M
Health research design and methodology
Health Research Design and Methodology. Eucharia Nnadi Okolo (Editor), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1990, 1st edn., 258 pp., US$133.00, ISBN 0-8493-46274. This promises to be a very helpful introductory text for novice medical scientists. The editor, Dr. Okolo, states in her preface that the book is especially designed for students in the health sciences who are writing their first proposals and conducting research, new researchers in the health sciences, and health science research instructors. The book is exceedingly pragmatic and could very well serve as a 'how to' manual for new investigators. Subject areas addressed in the book include everything from selecting a research project and writing a proposal through to analyzing data and publishing a research paper. Dr. Okolo is very well qualified to edit such a book, having had considerable experience with the proposal writing process and also having taught courses in both biostatistics and research methodologies.
E LS [~V I E R
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY Preventive Veterinary Medicine 21 ( 1994 ) 107-117
MEDICINE
Book Reviews
Virus infections of birds
Virus Infections of Birds. J.B. McFerran and M.S. McNulty (Editors), Virus Infections of Vertebrates, Vol. 4, M.C. Horzinek (Series Editor), Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1993, 621 pp., US$242.75 (Dfl. 425.00), ISBN 0-444-89899-9. The series editor has released the fourth of seven planned reviews of animal viral pathogens. This volume, like the series' predecessors, details the current knowledge concerning a group of animal viruses (those affecting avian hosts) with emphasis on clinical disease and related findings. The editors have effectively fulfilled this mandate, leaving detailed molecular studies to other works. McFerran and McNulty have organized the book according to the International Committee for the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) convention on viral taxonomy. Major headings for each virus family briefly describe the physical properties of virions, biology of virus replication, and taxonomic considerations within the family. Chapters describing the specific viruses belonging to that family then follow. The chapters are thorough and well organized, with sub-headings of virus properties, epizootiology, pathogenesis, disease signs, pathology, immune reaction, laboratory diagnosis, and prophylaxis and control in each. Several short reviews of related topics, such as syndromes of poultry with suspected viral etiologies, maintenance of specific pathogen-free flocks, and vaccination schedules for various viruses, are included at the end of the volume. Readers are provided with extensive reference lists following each chapter. The emphasis is on information considered useful for understanding disease prevention, diagnosis, and the role of each virus in the disease process. Chapters are very well illustrated, providing examples of clinical presentations and diagnostic lesions at the gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural levels. Figures and tables outline typical findings, stages of pathogenesis, serology, host range, and other information. The text is detailed, but well written and easy to follow. The authors have succeeded in reviewing the field from the intended zoocentric approach of the series. The series editor acknowledges the exclusion of hitherto unknown agents and viruses with little or no pathogenic significance. The reader is referred to the InElsevier Science B.V.
108
Book reviews / Preventive I2,terinary Medicine 21 (1994) 107-117
ternational Catalog of Arboviruses for information on this group of agents. Information concerning viral diseases of pet birds is limited. The brief paragraphs on the budgerigar fledgling disease virus, Pacheco's disease virus, and psittacine beak and feather disease virus may reflect an emphasis on poultry and other economically important hosts. This aspect was disappointing and the title might have easily been 'Virus Infections of Commercial Poultry'. The book will provide an excellent reference source for both students in an introductory veterinary medicine course and for those beginning advanced studies in avian medicine. It will be a useful addition to the libraries of all scientists studying avian viral pathogens. For a molecular biologist working in avian virology, like myself, the book will be invaluable for viewing these intracellular pathogens in the contexts of animal health and the economic realities of the poultry industry. This text has a niche on the shelves of scientists working with these agents and should be on the study list for all graduate students of avian medicine. It should also be present on the reference shelves of veterinary colleges for use by students in introductory virology. F. NIAGRO
Department of Medical Microbiology College of Veterinao, Medicine University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 USA SSDI 0 1 6 7 - 5 8 7 7 ( 9 4 ) 0 0 3 6 2 - M
Health research design and methodology
Health Research Design and Methodology. Eucharia Nnadi Okolo (Editor), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1990, 1st edn., 258 pp., US$133.00, ISBN 0-8493-46274. This promises to be a very helpful introductory text for novice medical scientists. The editor, Dr. Okolo, states in her preface that the book is especially designed for students in the health sciences who are writing their first proposals and conducting research, new researchers in the health sciences, and health science research instructors. The book is exceedingly pragmatic and could very well serve as a 'how to' manual for new investigators. Subject areas addressed in the book include everything from selecting a research project and writing a proposal through to analyzing data and publishing a research paper. Dr. Okolo is very well qualified to edit such a book, having had considerable experience with the proposal writing process and also having taught courses in both biostatistics and research methodologies.