Oceans and Health: Pathogens in the Marine Environment

Abstract

This 464-page book, entitled ''Oceans and Health: Pathogens in the Marine Environment'', describes in detail the sources, physiology, molecular biology, dispersion, survival, and impact of diverse groups of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and algae. The effects of these microorganisms exert on humans and land animals, as well as fish, crustaceans, and corals, are discussed from basic and applied viewpoints, addressing both global and specific aspects of the topic. This volume is structured into 19 individually-authored chapters. The first chapter provides an overview of pathogens in the sea. Other chapter topics include: diversity, sources, and detection of human bacterial pathogens in the marine environment; biotic and abiotic effects; molecular aspects of the survival of enteric bacteria in seawater; human pathogenic viruses in the marine environment; zoonotic protists in the marine environment; marine and estuarine harmful algal blooms and their impacts on human and animal health; pathogenic Vibrio species in the marine and estuarine environment; Vibrio vulnificus; and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in seafood safety and associations with higher organisms. Other areas of coverage include: global microbial ecology of Vibrio cholerae; Gram-positive bacteria in the marine environment; fecal contamination in coastal areas; retention of pathogenicity in viable nonculturable pathogens; thalassogenic infectious diseases caused by wastewater pollution of the marine environment; bacterial pathogens of marine fish; microbial disease of corals; and finally, aquaculture and animal pathogens in the marine environment with emphasis on marine shrimp viruses. The text is written in English, and the final chapter is followed by an index. The book includes 49 illustrations. This book will appeal to marine ecologists, marine environmentalists, environmental microbiologists; marine biotechnologists; epidemiologists, public health practitioners, and civil/wastewater engineers.