Hot Topics in Infectious Diseases

Catalog description

The relationship between microbial pathogens and their human hosts is continuously changing. Although our immune system has become extremely sophisticated throughout evolution, microbes are also evolving at a fast rate to overcome host defenses. The development of techniques, such as sanitation and vaccination, and the discovery of antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, has revolutionized medicine. However, even though some infectious diseases have been eradicated (e.g., smallpox), others that were on the verge of extinction are re-emerging (e.g., TB) and new ones have gained prominence (e.g., AIDS). This course is designed as a detailed survey of some of the most important human pathogens. It investigates these agents in detail and includes the most cutting edge basic research findings as well as epidemiology, treatment and prevention of infections.