Abstract
As a second edition, this book contains everything one would like to know about the present status of Mycobacterium bovis as a human and animal pathogen. The book lists 56 internationally known scientific contributors from around the world. It reads well. The most valuable aspect is the presentation of evidence that M. bovis is reported from most continents with considerable geographic variation, most heavily in Asia and in the Far East. The book describes the disease as it affects domestic and wild ruminants and emphasizes the distribution in a variety of wildlife species as reservoirs, interestingly including Mycobacterium pinnipedi to infect New Zealand fur seals and Australian sea lions. The book highlights M. bovis as a zoonotic pathogen with health ramifications in those countries where socioeconomic hardship may have a significant impact on human transmission. It is worth mentioning that transmission of M. bovis to humans apparently is as high as 18% in some African countries where pasteurization of milk and clear control of infected livestock through testing and cull is still a significant shortcoming to eradication. Of course, as is the case with many ancient organisms, a threat also exists to those regions declared tuberculosis-free through uncontrolled animal trade, wildlife pocket reservoirs, and genetic mutation of the organism.
The book is divided into 29 chapters, each contributed from experts representing multiple countries and continents. Each chapter ends with a citation of key references. Topics cover mainly epidemiologic aspects, but also public health issues, pathogenesis, immunological principles, diagnostic tests including molecular techniques, eradication protocols, and vaccine development. Some chapters contain charts, tables, and photographic illustrations of gross and histopathologic changes seen associated with M. bovis. The index is adequate.
This being the second edition means that there was enough interest to re-edit the first edition and to bring the focus on M. bovis infection to its latest standard of knowledge. The book should mainly appeal to regulatory personnel, epidemiologists, and microbiologists. It is of limited use to veterinary pathologists. The only criticisms I have are the quality of the black and white images, which makes it difficult to identify the features mentioned in the legends, and the lack of organized chapter listings along topics.