Coding sequence

the order of nucleotide bases in a nucleic acid that specifies the production of a particular product, such as a protein. A change in the coding sequence (e.g., as a result of mutation) can result in a change in the product.

Communicable disease

an illness due to a specific infectious agent or its toxic products that arises though transmission of that agent or its products from an infected person, animal, or inanimate reservoir to a susceptible host; either directly or indirectly through an intermediate plant or animal host, vector, or inanimate environment; infectious disease.

Contagious

communicable by contact; bearing contagion.

Cytokine

any of a class of immunoregulatory proteins (as interleukin, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon) that are secreted by cells, especially of the immune system.

DDT

1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane or chlorophenothane, a pesticide.

Deletion mutation

a mutation that results from the deletion of one or more amino acids present in the genetic material of the organism undergoing the mutation.

Disease

as used in this report, refers to a situation in which infection has elicited signs and symptoms in the infected individual; the infection has become clinically apparent.

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid, a carrier of genetic information (i.e., hereditary characteristics) found chiefly in the nucleus of cells.

DNA virus

a virus that contains only DNA as its genetic material.

Droplet nuclei

the very small particles of moisture expelled when a person coughs, sneezes, or speaks that may transfer infectious organisms to another person who inhales the droplets.

Ecology

a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments.

Ecosystem

the complex of a community and its environment functioning as an ecological unit in nature.

Emerging infection

either a newly recognized, clinically distinct infectious disease, or a known infectious disease whose reported incidence is increasing in a given place or among a specific population.

Encephalitis

inflammation of the brain.

Endemic

the constant presence of a disease or infectious agent within a given geographic area; it may also refer to the usual prevalence of a given disease within such area.

Endogenous

developing or originating from within the individual.

Endophilic

ecologically associated with humans and their domestic environment (mosquitoes that are endophilic vectors of malaria).

Entomology

a branch of zoology that deals with insects.

Front Matter (R1-R30)

Executive Summary (1-18)

1. Introduction (19-22)

2. Spectrum of Microbial Threats (23-52)

3. Factors of Emergence (53-148)

4. Addressing the Threats: Conclusions and Recommendations (149-226)

Epilogue (227-230)

Glossary (231-240)

References (241-276)

Appendix A: Microbial Threats to Health Public Committee Meeting Agendas (277-280)

Appendix B: Syndromic Surveillance (281-312)

Appendix C: Pathogen Discovery, Detection, and Diagnostics (313-330)

Appendix D: Forum on Emerging Infections Membership and Publications, Board on Global Health (331-334)

Appendix E: Computational Modeling and Simulation of Epidemic Infectious Diseases (335-342)

Appendix F: Committee and Staff Biographies (343-352)

Index (353-367)