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Krauss, H., Slenczka, W., and Schiefer, H. G. (eds.). Zoonoses: Infectious Diseases Transmissible from Animals to Humans, 3rd ed. 456 pp. ASM Press, Washington, DC, 2003. $79.95. ISBN 1-55581-236-8.

This English version of the original German edition is a comprehensive yet condensed desktop reference written for the clinical physician or public health expert, be they veterinary or medical. This book may also be of interest to veterinary clinicians, infectious disease researchers, diagnostic or research pathologists, or students in related fields and would complement the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual (J. E. E. Chin, American Public Health Association, Washington, DC, 1999).

The book comprises four major chapters written by nine authors, which address viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic zoonotic diseases seen worldwide, and includes recently described emergent or reemergent diseases as well as zoonotic agents considered potential biologic agents. Diseases caused by prions are discussed with viral diseases. Comprehensive appendices address infections resulting from animal bite, infections and intoxications originating from foodstuffs of animal origin, iatrogenic transmission of zoonotic agents, notifiable zoonotic diseases, as well as an exhaustive tabular listing of zoonoses. The book is well indexed, and editing oversights are uncommon.

Subsections within each disease description specifically address the etiology and its biology, disease occurrence, transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, therapy, prophylaxis, and references. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, conventional PCR protocols, and associated references are given for many of the viral entities.

Considering the number of authors and the wealth of information, the editors did a good job establishing and maintaining descriptive consistency; however, occasional lack of detail or explanation left this reader with questions. References are not cited in the text, and information is not always categorized as one would expect; therefore, the entire disease description or section must be read to ensure complete understanding. Because of either editing or the authors' choice of terminology, the book is occasionally challenging to read. The degree of useful illustration varies within the book. There are no illustrative electron micrographs or histologic photomicrographs, which may have added diagnostic value to descriptions of certain diseases. Discussion of appropriate biologic safety measures when working with certain agents in clinical or diagnostic laboratory scenarios is inconsistent and sometimes vague.

Dr. M. J. Martinez

Pathology Division
U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
Fort Detrick, MD

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