Infections of Leisure
http://www.100md.com
《新英格兰医药杂志》
When I was asked to review this book, I was taken aback, since I truly didn't understand what "infections of leisure" are. The title, although playful, does not quite capture the scholarliness of this multiauthored book, which is published by the American Society for Microbiology. With long lists of references, it describes all the infectious diseases that can be contracted while pursuing such activities as gardening, lolling in a hot tub, eating trendy cuisines, swimming at the beach, or sharing abodes with pets. As an example of its seriousness, the chapter titled "At the Shore" has 491 references, with an exhaustive listing of vibrio infections that lurk at the seaside, as well as extensive discussions of shellfish intoxication and marine trauma. Potential zoonoses are charted in clever chapters, such as "With Man's Best Friend" (the dog), "Man's Worst Friend (the Rat)," and "Feathered Friends." Chapters are also devoted to infections contracted by such peculiar activities of leisure as body piercing, getting a tattoo, and taking a junket "From Boudoir to Bordello: Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Travel."
Color-Enhanced Transmission Electron Micrograph of the Norovirus, Which Causes Acute Gastroenteritis.
David Gregory and Debbie Marshall/Wellcome Photo Library.
As with every book with many contributors, Infections of Leisure presents various editorial voices. The chapter on exotic and trendy cuisine is chatty and personal, whereas the one titled "Freshwater: From Lakes to Hot Tubs" is more formal. Some of the chapters appear to be slightly forced. Despite the fact that high-altitude trekking is a popular leisure activity, are there truly more infections at high altitudes than at low altitudes? The authors admit that since there are few published data on the topic, anecdotal and personal medical experiences are presented, rather than evidence-based studies.
In summary, this is a thoroughly enjoyable book for general practitioners caring for patients who travel to exotic settings, eat adventuresome food, keep exotic pets, and pierce strange parts of their bodies. It will also appeal to the subspecialist in infectious diseases who is interested in an accessible organization of organisms associated with exposure to specific recreational activities. The next edition should sport a better title.
Michele Barry, M.D.
Yale University
New Haven, CT 06443(David Schlossberg. 444 pp)
Color-Enhanced Transmission Electron Micrograph of the Norovirus, Which Causes Acute Gastroenteritis.
David Gregory and Debbie Marshall/Wellcome Photo Library.
As with every book with many contributors, Infections of Leisure presents various editorial voices. The chapter on exotic and trendy cuisine is chatty and personal, whereas the one titled "Freshwater: From Lakes to Hot Tubs" is more formal. Some of the chapters appear to be slightly forced. Despite the fact that high-altitude trekking is a popular leisure activity, are there truly more infections at high altitudes than at low altitudes? The authors admit that since there are few published data on the topic, anecdotal and personal medical experiences are presented, rather than evidence-based studies.
In summary, this is a thoroughly enjoyable book for general practitioners caring for patients who travel to exotic settings, eat adventuresome food, keep exotic pets, and pierce strange parts of their bodies. It will also appeal to the subspecialist in infectious diseases who is interested in an accessible organization of organisms associated with exposure to specific recreational activities. The next edition should sport a better title.
Michele Barry, M.D.
Yale University
New Haven, CT 06443(David Schlossberg. 444 pp)