2. Epidemiology and clinical importance of zoonotic Campylobacters.
3. Population biology and comparative genomics of Campylobacter species.
4. Reservoirs, host specificity and interdisciplinary management practices of Campylobacter infections.
5. Diagnostics and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter species.
6. Emission sources of Campylobacters from agricultural farms, impact on environmental contamination and intervention strategies.
7. Biology of the gut and role of the intestinal barrier in Campylobacter infections.
8. Molecular mechanisms of Campylobacter biofilm formation and quorum sensing.
9. Natural competence and horizontal gene transfer in Campylobacters.
10. Campylobacter virulence factors and molecular host-pathogen interactions.
11. Animal models, gut microbiota and colonization resistance against Campylobacter infections.
12. Bacteriophage therapy to control Campylobacter infections.
Proposed contributing authors:
Prof. Steffen Backert, FAU Erlangen/Germany
Prof. Martin Blaser, Rutgers University/USA
Prof. Brendan Wren, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/UK
Prof. Thomas Alter, Free University Berlin/Germany
Prof. Patricia Guerry, Uniformed Services University/USA
Prof. Uwe Rösler, Free University Berlin/Germany
Prof. Christina Szymanski, University of Georgia/USA
Prof. Stefan Bereswill, Charité Berlin/Germany
Prof. Jörg-Dieter Schulzke, Humboldt University Berlin/Germany
Prof. Dave Hendrixson, UT Southwestern University, Dallas/USA
Prof. Michael Konkel, Washington State University/USA
Prof. Sophie Kittler, TIHO Hannover/Germany
Dr. Arnoud van Vliet, University of Surrey/UK
PD Dr. Markus M. Heimesaat, Charité Berlin/Germany
Steffen Backert is the full Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Biology at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. His group is working in the field of Microbial Pathogenesis for about 25 years, investigating molecular signalling pathways during host-pathogen interactions in enteric infections such as that of Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori. His research interest focuses on the identification and characterization of new bacterial virulence factors (secreted or injected), which could represent potential novel targets for therapeutic intervention. He has authored more than 220 peer-reviewed publications and edited eight scientific books. He is Associate Editor of various highly ranked research journals and has a strong and consistent record of gaining competitive research funding. Professor Backert is inventor on five patents.
This edited volume explores Campylobacter species, which are some of the most important foodborne pathogens. Above all, contaminated poultry meat can cause human gastroenteritis in both developed and developing countries. The respective contributions reveal how these infections can also increase the risk of generalized paralytic diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, Miller-Fisher syndrome, and Chinese paralytic syndrome. Due to their influence on the nervous system, circulatory system, and various organs, Campylobacter infections represent a serious public health concern.
Campylobacter can be effectively combated by addressing the hygienic conditions in both food production and human lifestyles. Accordingly, the authors put forward a One Health perspective, which provides readers with essential insights into the basic biology of Campylobacter, as well as practical guidance on aspects ranging from food production to the clinical treatment of infections.
Chapters 'Population Biology and Comparative Genomics of Campylobacter Species' and 'Natural Competence and Horizontal Gene Transfer in Campylobacter' are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.