The Bartonellas and Peruvian Medicine: The Work of Alberto Leonardo Barton (Rutgers Global Health)

__The Bartonellas and Peruvian Medicine__ explores the events surrounding the discovery of the etio-pathogenic agent of the Oroya Fever, also known as Peruvian Verruga or Carrión’s disease (an endemic infectious disease in South America’s Andean regions) by Dr. Alberto Leonardo Barton. Graciela S. Alarcón and Renato D. Alarcón recount Barton’s persistent work against skepticism, obstacles, and limitations imposed by members of Peru’s medical elites of the time, as well as his eventual successful scientific career and the delayed but well-deserved global recognition of his contributions. The book is the result of intense bibliographic research and of original documents aimed not just at the examination of Barton’s life and work, but also the examination of today’s perspectives and future work in the field of infectious and “neglected” diseases. The authors address current scientific information on the relevant bacteria __Bartonella bacilliformis__, besides current research and clinical status of the other Bartonellas, making it a useful and practical text for those studying infectious diseases. The Bartonellas and Peruvian Medicine explores the events surrounding the discovery of the etio-pathogenic agent of the Oroya Fever, also known as Peruvian Verruga or Carrion's disease (an endemic infectious disease in South America's Andean regions) by Dr. Alberto Leonardo Barton. Graciela S. Alarcon and Renato D. Alarcon recount Barton's persistent work against skepticism, obstacles, and limitations imposed by members of Peru's medical elites of the time, as well as his eventual successful scientific career and the delayed but well-deserved global recognition of his contributions. The book is the result of intense bibliographic research and of original documents aimed not just at the examination of Barton's life and work, but also the examination of today's perspectives and future work in the field of infectious and "neglected" diseases. The authors address current scientific information on the relevant bacteria Bartonella bacilliformis, besides current research and clinical status of the other Bartonellas, making it a useful and practical text for those studying infectious diseases Cover Page 1 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication Page 6 Contents 8 An Introduction to the Rutgers Global Health Series 10 Foreword 14 Preface 18 Contributors 20 Chapter 1. Alberto Leonardo Barton: Biographical Notes 24 Chapter 2. Bartonella bacilliformis 53 Chapter 3. The Other Bartonellas 121 Chapter 4. Reflections and Perspectives: Barton, the Bartonellas, and Peruvian Medicine 134 Chapter 5. Conclusions 145 Chapter 6. Comments: Alberto Leonardo Barton and Bartonella bacilliformis 149 Acknowledgments 152 On Behalf of the Family 154 Index 158 About the Authors 164