Abstract
Morilla, A., Yoon, K. J., and Zimmerman, J. J. (eds.). Trends in Emerging Viral Infections of Swine. 387 pp. Iowa State Press, Ames, IA, 2002. $69.99. ISBN 0-8138-0383-7.
Trends in Emerging Viral Infections of Swine provides an in-depth review of recently emergent viral diseases of swine (e.g., Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome, Nipah, La Piedad Michoacan virus) and reemergent diseases (e.g., Swine influenza virus) and discusses the international trends of global, historically important viruses (e.g., Classical swine fever, African swine fever, Foot and mouth disease, Pseudorables virus, Porcine circovirus). It is authored by a diverse group of internationally recognized swine specialists, who provide a broad perspective on management, clinical signs, epidemiology, immunology, diagnostics, and virus molecular biology as well as the impact of swine viruses on xenotransplantation and international trade.
Chapters are organized by virus family and divided into subsections discussing aspects of individual virus and host biology. This type of organization lends itself to rapid focusing on areas of interest but can lead to redundancy, particularly in the introductory paragraphs of chapter subsections. Subsections are sufficiently detailed and focused to be of value to a broad range of swine specialists, including practitioners, instructors, diagnosticians, and researchers.
Pathology is not a primary focus of Trends in Emerging Viral Infections of Swine and is treated rather unevenly. Several subsections contain excellent descriptions of gross and microscopic lesions (PRRSV, PCV, La Piedad Michoacan virus), whereas pathology is largely ignored in others.
The text is not extensively illustrated, but the limited number of figures are appropriate and of good quality. Photos of gross or microscopic lesions are infrequent. The vast majority of chapters are well referenced. However, there are a few glaring exceptions where the reader is left without the opportunity to further investigate the source of intriguing statements.
Trends in Emerging Viral Infections of Swine is well written and well organized and distills available information on currently important topics into concise summaries. Even those who diligently try to remain up-to-date on diseases of swine will benefit from the broad range of topics addressed, the discussions of diseases not endemic in their region, and the distillation of current literature.