Chapter 1 : Introduction

Abstract:

This is an introductory chapter of the book Clinical Virology. The authors hope to convey the fascinating breadth and importance of the subject of clinical virology in this edition. This edition presents updated and improved information than the previous edition. Clinical virology is the domain of molecular biologists, geneticists, pharmacologists, micro-biologists, vaccinologists, immunologists, practitioners of public health, epidemiologists, and clinicians, both pediatric and adult. It encompasses events that include accounts ranging from epidemics impacting history and Jennerian vaccination to the identification of new agents and mechanisms of disease. In order to provide a comprehensive yet concise treatment of the diverse agents and diseases associated with human viral infections, this book is organized into two major sections. This chapter provides a table that lists the viruses known to infect humans. Many of the agents are primarily animal viruses that incidentally infect humans, such as herpesvirus B, rabies virus, the Arenoviridae, the Filoviridae, the Bunyaviridae, and many arthropod-borne viruses.