Based on the author’s experiences teaching virology for more than 35 years, this book enables readers to develop a deep understanding of fundamental virology by emphasizing principles and discussing viruses in the context of virus families. Moreover, individual virus families are examined within the context of the Baltimore classification system, a key unifying theme that allows readers to assume basic facts about the replication strategy of a virus based on the nature of its genome.

The first chapter provides an historical overview, followed by a chapter introducing the principles of animal virus classification and the Baltimore classification system. The next chapter explores the various modes of virus infection and disease. Chapter 4 then considers host defenses against microorganisms and viral countermeasures to subvert those host defenses.

Armed with a solid foundation in basic principles, readers move on to eighteen subsequent chapters, each one dedicated to a particular virus family. These chapters detail the organization of the viral genome and its pattern of expression, with additional discussions covering viral structure, entry, assembly, release, and associated medical issues.

The flow of chapters in this book constitutes a continuous narrative in which key principles are regularly reintroduced to show how they apply in different contexts. This emphasis on principles coupled with the text’s clear, straightforward writing style enables upper-level undergraduate and graduate students as well as professionals to grasp core principles of virology with ease.

Key Features:

• Organization by virus family within the context of the Baltimore classification system provides a strategic framework for mastering the principles of virology
• Provides a uniform organization and logical flow of chapters as well as a consistent, accessible writing style
• Highlight boxes review fundamental molecular and cellular biology, introduce pioneers in the field of virology, and address serious public policy issues
• Key unanswered and thought-provoking scientific questions encourage critical thinking
• Examples show how virology has played a role in crucial public policy decisions