- Email: [email protected]
Virus infections of carnivores
Virus Research, Elsevier
181
12 (1989) 181-182
vRR00470
Book Review Virus Infections of Carnivores Edited by Max J. Appel Virus Infections of Vertebrates I, 1987, 516 pages, US $189.50. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ISBN-0444-4270-9-0 This splendidly produced volume is the first in a series entitled Virus Infections of Vertebrates for which the Series Editor is Marian Horzinek. The book is impressive in appearance with plentiful illustrations and clear paragraph headings on A4 size paper. The chapters are well referenced and full details are provided so that the work as a whole will undoubtedly prove a valuable reference source. This first volume on carnivores has involved some 22 authors, but the bulk of the work has undoubtedly been done by Max Appel. There are sections for virus infections of dogs, cats, mink and ferrets, non-domestic carnivores, and pinnipeds. Within each of these species groups, chapters on all the relevant DNA viruses and RNA viruses occur, for example canine distemper virus occurs as chapter 13 by Max Appel under virus infections of dogs, as chapter 37 (by RC Pearson and JR Gorham) under virus infections of mink and ferrets and as chapter 47 (by RJ Montali, CR Bartz and M Bush) under virus infections of non-domestic carnivores. However, the chapters are well cross-referenced and this allows the reader to dip into the disease problems of specific vertebrate species relatively easily. Within each chapter there is a regular division into virus properties, epizootiology, pathogenesis, disease signs, pathology, immune reaction, laboratory diagnosis, and prophylaxis and control. So again those with a particular interest in the virus itself can find the information well set-out for each virus discussed. As a reference volume it is difficult to fault this book. It has the authority and coverage which make it ideal for library purchase and if the remaining volumes of this series do eventually appear, the work as a whole will form a seminal contribution to virology. However, as with all works of this kind it is clear that not all the authors are equally disciplined so that the promised volume on porcines for example has a number of chapters which have been completed for several years, but the volume as a whole has not appeared. The references in the present volume vary considerably, but in most cases are not more recent than 1984 and this no doubt reflects the fact that these chapters were written some time ago. Updating and revision will clearly be needed at regular intervals; for example, the section on pinnipeds has no chapter on Paramyxoviridae, the apparent cause of the recent 0168-1702/89/$03.50
0 1989 Elsevier Science Publishers
B.V. (Biomedical
Division)
182
plague in seal populations. Despite these criticisms, I feel that the thoroughness of coverage, if maintained throughout the series more than justifies the purchase of this volume, and the editors should be congratulated. BWJ Mahy AFRC Institute for Animal Health Pirbright Laboratory Surrey, U.K.
* * * * *
Announcement
INTERNATIONAL TN0 MEETING Amsterdam, the Netherlands 24-27 April 1989
OF ANIMAL MODELS
IN AIDS
The emphasis of the Meeting will be on the validation of models for human HIV infections, comparison of the different models, pathology and immunology, pathogenesis, antiviral agents and vaccine development. In conjunction with the Meeting an exhibition will be organized. Organizing Committee: M. Horzinek, chairman G. Galasso, J. Goudsmit, G. Hunsmann, H. Lutz, W.J.C. N. Pederson, H. Schellekens For information please contact: Ms. S. van de Graaf TN0 Corporate Communication Department P.O. Box 297 2501 BD The Hague The Netherlands Phone: + 31-70496612/11, Telex: 31660 tnogv nl, Telefax:
Melgert, L. Montagnier,
+ 31-70855700.
181
12 (1989) 181-182
vRR00470
Book Review Virus Infections of Carnivores Edited by Max J. Appel Virus Infections of Vertebrates I, 1987, 516 pages, US $189.50. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ISBN-0444-4270-9-0 This splendidly produced volume is the first in a series entitled Virus Infections of Vertebrates for which the Series Editor is Marian Horzinek. The book is impressive in appearance with plentiful illustrations and clear paragraph headings on A4 size paper. The chapters are well referenced and full details are provided so that the work as a whole will undoubtedly prove a valuable reference source. This first volume on carnivores has involved some 22 authors, but the bulk of the work has undoubtedly been done by Max Appel. There are sections for virus infections of dogs, cats, mink and ferrets, non-domestic carnivores, and pinnipeds. Within each of these species groups, chapters on all the relevant DNA viruses and RNA viruses occur, for example canine distemper virus occurs as chapter 13 by Max Appel under virus infections of dogs, as chapter 37 (by RC Pearson and JR Gorham) under virus infections of mink and ferrets and as chapter 47 (by RJ Montali, CR Bartz and M Bush) under virus infections of non-domestic carnivores. However, the chapters are well cross-referenced and this allows the reader to dip into the disease problems of specific vertebrate species relatively easily. Within each chapter there is a regular division into virus properties, epizootiology, pathogenesis, disease signs, pathology, immune reaction, laboratory diagnosis, and prophylaxis and control. So again those with a particular interest in the virus itself can find the information well set-out for each virus discussed. As a reference volume it is difficult to fault this book. It has the authority and coverage which make it ideal for library purchase and if the remaining volumes of this series do eventually appear, the work as a whole will form a seminal contribution to virology. However, as with all works of this kind it is clear that not all the authors are equally disciplined so that the promised volume on porcines for example has a number of chapters which have been completed for several years, but the volume as a whole has not appeared. The references in the present volume vary considerably, but in most cases are not more recent than 1984 and this no doubt reflects the fact that these chapters were written some time ago. Updating and revision will clearly be needed at regular intervals; for example, the section on pinnipeds has no chapter on Paramyxoviridae, the apparent cause of the recent 0168-1702/89/$03.50
0 1989 Elsevier Science Publishers
B.V. (Biomedical
Division)
182
plague in seal populations. Despite these criticisms, I feel that the thoroughness of coverage, if maintained throughout the series more than justifies the purchase of this volume, and the editors should be congratulated. BWJ Mahy AFRC Institute for Animal Health Pirbright Laboratory Surrey, U.K.
* * * * *
Announcement
INTERNATIONAL TN0 MEETING Amsterdam, the Netherlands 24-27 April 1989
OF ANIMAL MODELS
IN AIDS
The emphasis of the Meeting will be on the validation of models for human HIV infections, comparison of the different models, pathology and immunology, pathogenesis, antiviral agents and vaccine development. In conjunction with the Meeting an exhibition will be organized. Organizing Committee: M. Horzinek, chairman G. Galasso, J. Goudsmit, G. Hunsmann, H. Lutz, W.J.C. N. Pederson, H. Schellekens For information please contact: Ms. S. van de Graaf TN0 Corporate Communication Department P.O. Box 297 2501 BD The Hague The Netherlands Phone: + 31-70496612/11, Telex: 31660 tnogv nl, Telefax:
Melgert, L. Montagnier,
+ 31-70855700.