1004 PostScript J Clin Pathol: first published as 10.1136/jcp.2005.032466%20corr1 on 25 August 2006. Downloaded from would extend into space to a distance of 200 already present in commensal lactobacilli million light years! may become lytic as a result of exposure to CALENDAR OF EVENTS I bet all the busy district general hospital environmental chemicals such as those found pathologists who chance to read this review in cigarette smoke. Bacterial vaginosis is are now muttering to themselves about how known to be more common in smokers. Combined adult and congenital teaching hospital microbiologists can waste Some researchers have even suggested calling cardiovascular pathology course their time writing about such irrelevant the disease ‘‘bacterial phaginosis’’. Some of 29 November–1 December 2006, Royal things, but in fact bacteriophages are import- the chapters on virulence also give details of Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London, UK. ant and I’ll try to explain why. Much of our the use of phages in bacterial detection or as This ‘‘hands-on’’ course approaches in current knowledge of molecular biology owes therapeutic agents. Also included are some detail the problems that face the diagnostic its origins to the pioneering work of early interesting descriptions of the therapeutic pathologist when dealing with cardiovascular phage researchers such as Max Delbru¨ck, uses of phage products rather than the whole pathology, both congenital and adult. The Salvador Luria and Joshua Lederberg. This phage—for example, the enzybiotic murein approach to a cardiac autopsy and sudden book reviews the work of these early pio- hydrolase. The last chapter of the book death will be emphasised. Cardiac specimens neers, but more importantly brings the story describes the utility of phages in greater will be made available for analysis and there of bacteriophages up to date. Individual detail, such as their use in recombineering will also be video demonstrations. A slide chapters are written by the recognised and in molecular display libraries. A final and seminar with slides is included. The course is experts in the field, and review basic phage relatively short chapter describes the use of aimed at trainees studying for the MRC biology and ecology. The major part of the phages in bacterial detection and as thera- PATH, and also at senior pathologists who book contains chapters describing all the peutic agents. Although similar information wish to update their knowledge. The course latest developments on the topic of phage is found in other sections of the book, this fee is £400 (including coffee, tea and lunch). contribution to bacterial virulence. Phages final account complements the opening There is a special fee of £300 for junior play an extremely important part in allowing chapter of the book, which describes some doctors in training. relatively harmless bacteria to become patho- historical details of phage therapy. Further details: Short Course Office, gens. In fact, up to 6% of the genome of To conclude, I think this is an excellent National Heart and Lung Institute, Salmonella typhimurium is believed to be made book, although it will be of major interest Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, UK; up of prophages. Most of the examples only to established phage biologists and those Tel: +44 (0)20 7351 8172; Fax: +44 (0)20 described in these chapters are virulence- interested in the mechanisms of bacterial 7351 8246; Email: [email protected] linked bacteriophages such as the phage virulence. However, I can also recommend it CTXw, which encodes cholera toxin in Vibrio to like-minded amateur phage enthusiasts. cholerae, or the phage b, which encodes toxin I think it’s time for another interesting fact production in Corynebacterium diphtheriae, but on phages. Did you know that standard CORRECTION there is also a fascinating chapter on phages German war medical kits captured in North and bacterial vaginosis in which the phage Africa from Rommel’s forces contained vials acts in an entirely different way. This book of phages ready for injection or oral admin- doi: 10.1136/jcp.2005.032466 corr1 provides evidence that phage infection in istration? Finally here’s a question for you. vaginal lactobacilli may cause a decrease in How many phages are there in 1 ml of The title of the Letter to the editor (Smith G, these important commensal bacteria, result- Norwegian fjord water? I’m not going to tell Waddell N, Riley A. The benefits of elastica – ing in the shift in vaginal bacterial numbers you, but if you want to know the answer, you no stretch of the imagiaction. J Clin Pathol that is thought to cause bacterial vaginosis. It now know where to find it! 2006;59:888–9) is incorrect. The correct title is proposed that these phages may be is: The benefits of elastic – no stretch of the acquired sexually or that lysogenic phages P A Riley imagination. http://jcp.bmj.com/ on September 27, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright.

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