Coronaviruses with Special Emphasis on First Insights Concerning SARS

The outbreak of SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome), an atypical pneumonia, has received much attention and coverage by the media and has consequently had a high impact on the public. The infectivity and route of transmission of the disease appear unusual, and it turned out to be a highly relevant threat for medical staff. This monograph provides comprehensive information on the newest insights into the SARS epidemic and the responsible infectious agent. Background information on Coronaviridae (coronavirus/torovirus) and coronavirus/torovirus-associated infections in humans and animals is also given. The volume will be a valuable source of information for researchers and clinicians in virology, epidemiology and biomedicine.

Coronaviridae: a review of coronaviruses and toroviruses.- Coronavirus infections in veterinary medicine.- Severe acute respiratory syndrome: clinical features.- SARS coronavirus infection: pathology and pathogenesis of an emerging virus disease.- Genome organization and structural aspects of the SARS-related virus.- Virological laboratory diagnosis of SARS.- Performance evaluation of a Bayer Healthcare Diagnostics research-based SARS coronavirus assay.- Current status of therapy of SARS.- Coronavirus main proteinase: target for antiviral drug therapy.- Environmental survival and microbicide inactivation of coronaviruses.- Disease management strategies in SARS.

"... all the most relevant findings on SARS are considered in the pages of this interesting volume which is a precious tool for veterinarians, virologists, clinicians who are interested in improving their knowledge on Coronaviruses and this novel and severe disease." (European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences)

"... all the most relevant findings on SARS are considered in the pages of this interesting volume which is a precious tool for veterinarians, virologists, clinicians who are interested in improving their knowledge on Coronaviruses and this novel and severe disease." (European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences)