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Baker, D. G. (ed.). Natural Pathogens of Laboratory Animals: Their Effects on Research. 385 pp. ASM Press, Washington, DC, 2003. $119.95. ISBN 1-55581-266-X.

Natural Pathogens of Laboratory Animals: Their Effects on Research begins with a brief introduction that provides a historical perspective of the challenges faced and advances made in controlling and eliminating laboratory animal pathogens. The first chapter is devoted to a discussion of animal facilities and, specifically, the various systems available to establish conventional, barrier, or containment housing systems.

The remaining 10 chapters are devoted to pathogens of both small and large laboratory animal species: rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, cats, dogs, swine, and nonhuman primates. The chapters are well organized into sections for viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites; within each section the agents are listed alphabetically. The references at the end of each chapter are extensive and organized similarly. For each pathogen the agent, epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology, interference with research, and diagnosis and control are presented. Each chapter concludes with a table that lists the pathogens and the body system(s) affected. If one wanted a list of possible respiratory pathogens in the guinea pig, for example, this information could be readily obtained from the table.

The pathology discussion for each disease is relatively brief, and often more attention is given to the effects on research, as the title of the book states. There is a noticeable absence of photographs of lesions. In addition, I found the section on nonhuman primate viruses to be concise but limited in scope of diseases discussed.

The author intended to inform researchers, laboratory animal veterinarians, and students of the most common and important infectious agents of laboratory animals and their effects on the host and research outcomes; this goal has been met. Although this book is not intended as a primary reference for pathologists, it would be a useful text for pathology residents beginning their training because it provides a concise but comprehensive introduction to the pathogens of the various laboratory animal species.

Dr. A. M. Fletcher

Department of Pathology
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Syracuse, NY

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