Table of contents
December 2006 Vol 4 No 12
In this issue
p875 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1575
Editorial: Apples, oranges and unknown fruit
p876 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1554
Research Highlights
Viral pathogenesis: A brush with rotavirus
p877 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1559
Bacterial pathogenesis: The great escape
p878 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1564
Bacterial physiology: Right on target
p878 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1566
Host response: Viral persistence: IL-10 is the key
p879 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1560
Environmental microbiology: Phenol and the phyllosphere
p880 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1565
Infectious disease: Probing pathogen proliferation
p880 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1567
Network biology: Wiring with a difference
p880 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1572
In brief
In Brief
p880 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1573
News and Analysis
Genome watch
Colonic irritation
p882 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1571
Disease watch
In the news
p884 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1574
Reviews
The biosynthesis and regulation of bacterial prodiginines
Neil R. Williamson, Peter C. Fineran, Finian J. Leeper and George P. C. Salmond
p887 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1531
Prodiginines are a family of secondary metabolites produced by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria that have anticancer and immunosuppressive activities. The biosynthesis of these tripyrrole red pigments is reviewed, together with a discussion of the exquisite regulation of the production of these molecules, and why bacteria might benefit from producing such complex products.
Global measles elimination
William J. Moss and Diane E. Griffin
p900 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1550
Safe and effective vaccines are available that could be used to eradicate measles, which is a primary cause of childhood vaccine-preventable deaths worldwide. This article reviews the pathogenesis of this deadly disease and the prospects for its elimination.
Why do we need quality-assured diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted infections?
Rosanna W. Peeling, David Mabey, Alan Herring and Edward W. Hook, 3rd
p909 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1555
Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause a huge burden of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. This article focuses on syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia, reviewing the clinical manifestations and current diagnostic techniques for each disease, as well as discussing the need for improved rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests.
Common infection strategies of pathogenic eukaryotes
Kasturi Haldar, Sophien Kamoun, N. Luisa Hiller, Souvik Bhattacharje and Christiaan van Ooij
p922 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1549
Although we have a detailed knowledge of how many bacterial pathogens deliver virulence effectors into host cells, until recently, we had little corresponding knowledge for eukaryotic pathogens. This Review focuses on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which have recently been shown to use equivalent host-targeting signals.
Group B Streptococcus: global incidence and vaccine development
Atul Kumar Johri, Lawrence C Paoletti, Philippe Glaser, Meenakshi Dua, Puja Kumari Sharma, Guido Grandi and Rino Rappuoli
p932 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1552
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a pathogen of worldwide significance, and although prophylactic measures have reduced the number of infections, development of a vaccine remains an important goal. Here, the authors review the incidence of GBS and how new technologies are being applied in the search for a globally effective vaccine.
Perspectives
Opinion
Can landscape ecology untangle the complexity of antibiotic resistance?
Randall S. Singer, Michael P. Ward and George Maldonado
p943 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1553
The field of landscape ecology links the biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem. In this Opinion article, the authors argue that using the tools of landscape ecology would improve the accuracy of ecological studies of antibiotic resistance.
Opinion
The evolution and maintenance of virulence in Staphylococcus aureus: a role for host-to-host transmission?
Ruth C. Massey, Malcolm J. Horsburgh, Gerard Lina, Magnus Höök and Mario Recker
p953 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1551
Understanding the factors that contribute to the evolution and maintenance of virulence is crucial for a full understanding of infectious disease biology. Focusing on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, the authors argue that host-to-host transmission is a key factor in determining the level of bacterial virulence.
