ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE FOR CONFRONTING VIRAL DISEASES IN RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTINGS

Introduction to Medical Virology: Theory and Practice in Tropical Countries adapts contemporary advanced best practices in medical virology to tropical settings. Special emphasis is placed on viral infections that disproportionately affect tropical countries to ensure relevance to local disease burdens. It provides practical guidance on molecular methods, serology, point-of-care testing, and laboratory quality management, enabling readers to develop competence even in low-resource settings. The author brings extensive teaching and clinical expertise in viral pathogenesis, molecular biology, and pharmacology to deliver a comprehensive guide that bridges foundational virology with practical diagnostic and public health strategies.

Introduction to Medical Virology offers:

• Clear explanations, step-by-step laboratory diagnostic procedures, case studies, and context-specific examples specifically designed for resource-limited settings, addressing infrastructure and equipment constraints
• Integration of clinical, epidemiological, and public health perspectives with real-world case studies that demonstrate application of virological principles to outbreak investigation and infection control
• Comprehensive coverage of vector dynamics, climate influences, and ecological factors that shape viral transmission patterns in tropical environments
• Accessible information on molecular biology and viral pathogenesis, balanced with hands-on laboratory protocols for specimen handling, testing, and biosafety
• An emphasis on arboviruses and tropical viral pathogens including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, hemorrhagic fevers, and emerging zoonotic diseases prevalent in tropical regions

Introduction to Medical Virology is designed for undergraduate and graduate students in medical laboratory sciences, microbiology, virology, public health, and biomedical sciences. The text is also intended for clinicians and public health professionals working in tropical regions. It provides the theoretical foundation and practical skills needed to diagnose, manage, and prevent viral infections effectively, strengthening healthcare capacity and contributing to global health security in the face of emerging and re-emerging viral threats.

OLUWATAYO ISRAEL OLASUNKANMI, PHD, is an American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCPi)-certified Medical Laboratory Scientist with extensive experience in the United States, specializing in viral pathogenesis and diagnostic virology. He has also worked as a Research Associate at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA, and First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China. As a registered member of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, he has led viral diagnostic services, epidemiological surveillance activities, and disease eradication efforts in both tertiary and rural hospitals across the country. His work focuses on Global health and understanding viral infections in tropical settings, developing practical approaches to viral disease management in resource-limited settings.