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Science 21 May 1999:
Vol. 284. no. 5418, pp. 1308 - 1310
DOI: 10.1126/science.284.5418.1308
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The Search for Unrecognized Pathogens

David A. Relman

The distribution and diversity of microorganisms in the world are far greater than have been previously appreciated. Molecular, cultivation-independent methods have played a key role in this insight. To what extent do humans remain ignorant of microbial diversity within the human body and the settings in which microorganisms cause human disease? In addition to implicating microbial agents in nontraditional infectious diseases, the use of methods such as broad-range polymerase chain reaction, representational difference analysis, expression library screening, and host gene expression profiling may force a reassessment of the concepts of microbial disease causation.

Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; VA Palo Alto Health Care System 154T, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. E-mail: relman{at}cmgm.stanford.edu

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