Microbial Inhabitants of Humans: Their Ecology and Role in Health and Disease

Microbial Inhabitants of Humans: Their Ecology and Role in Health and Disease

by Michael Wilson (Author)

Synopsis

This advanced textbook provides a unique overview of the microbial communities (normal indigenous microbiota) inhabiting those regions of the human body that are exposed to the external environment, including the skin, eyes, oral cavity and the respiratory, urinary, reproductive and gastrointestinal tracts. In order to understand why particular organisms are able to colonise an anatomical region and why the resulting microbial community has a particular composition, an ecological approach is essential. Consequently, the key anatomical and physiological characteristics of each body site are described throughout the book. The crucial roles of the indigenous microbiota in protecting against exogenous pathogens, regulating the development of our immune system and mucosae, and providing nutrients are also discussed. The involvement of these organisms in infections of healthy and debilitated individuals are discussed throughout and methods of manipulating the composition of the indigenous microbiota for the benefit of human health are also described.

$177.86

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 476
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 08 Nov 2004

ISBN 10: 0521841585
ISBN 13: 9780521841580