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Methods in Immunodiagnosis
298
BOOK REVIEWS
Pathology (1974), 6, July
has once again presented its characteristic mixture in which 34 review articles cover aspects of every major field. Some of the subjects such as treatment of leukaemias and lymphomas, tests of platelet function, chromosome identification and enterotoxic diarrhoea are of direct interest to pathologists working in special fields. The greater number of the reviews, however, provide fascinating reading in subjects peripheral to the practice and experience of most pathologists but in which they may need to be informed. They are written by leaders in their respective fields and provide authoritative information and opinion. For example, Good & Fudenberg with their respective colleagues in separate chapters discuss different aspects and approaches to therapy in states of immunological deficiency. In particular, the 30-page monograph on Transfer Factor is recommended to students of this subject. Hinman’s chapter on urethrovesical dysfunction is particularly relevant in Australia, where urinary infection is such an important cause of morbidity. Other noteworthy reviews are those on viral myocarditis and on the mechanics of air flow particularly in relation to chronic airways obstruction, the last from De Graff & Bouhuys at Yale. A bonus in this issue is a 19-page review by W. L. Nyhan of the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Here is the latest word on this gruesome but important malady. Like all the Annual Reviews, this edition has excellent bibliographies and a good index of authors and subjects. It should be in all departmental libraries for the refreshment of the old and the stimulation of the young. A. Tait Smith Methods in Inzmunodiagnosis, eds NOELR. ROSE& PIERLUIGI E. BIGAZZI. 1973. Wiley-Interscience, New York. 212 pp. A4612.95. This volume represents a synopsis of a WHO sponsored laboratory course held at the Centre for Immunology in Buffalo, U.S.A., the aim of which was to provide instruction in some of the more practical aspects of immunodiagnosis. Each section contains a concise outline of the basic principles involved in the various procedures followed by a detailed description of methodology including information on both preparation and sources of reagents. The latter is particularly helpful since details of this kind are so often vital to the laboratory worker setting up a test for the first time. The book is divided into 9 chapters covering a wide range of tests including precipitin and agglutinin reactions, complement determinations, immunohaematological procedures, methods involving labelled antigens and antibodies, leucocyte typing and methods for assessment of cell-mediated immunity. Individual tests are followed by a bibliography. In some instances (e.g. tests of cell-mediated immunity) alternative methods are outlined, providing a range of possibilities for the laboratory worker. Although some selection has been employed, the procedures described, as the editors point out, have general application in many spheres and in several instances are not well documented elsewhere. In addition, they are applicable both to the experimentalist and to the clinical scientist. As such, the book should appeal to a variety of workers including laboratory directors, technicians and clinicians in the fields of immunology, biochemistry and haematology. It represents a very worthwhile addition to one’s library.
A. Basten
BOOK REVIEWS
Pathology (1974), 6, July
has once again presented its characteristic mixture in which 34 review articles cover aspects of every major field. Some of the subjects such as treatment of leukaemias and lymphomas, tests of platelet function, chromosome identification and enterotoxic diarrhoea are of direct interest to pathologists working in special fields. The greater number of the reviews, however, provide fascinating reading in subjects peripheral to the practice and experience of most pathologists but in which they may need to be informed. They are written by leaders in their respective fields and provide authoritative information and opinion. For example, Good & Fudenberg with their respective colleagues in separate chapters discuss different aspects and approaches to therapy in states of immunological deficiency. In particular, the 30-page monograph on Transfer Factor is recommended to students of this subject. Hinman’s chapter on urethrovesical dysfunction is particularly relevant in Australia, where urinary infection is such an important cause of morbidity. Other noteworthy reviews are those on viral myocarditis and on the mechanics of air flow particularly in relation to chronic airways obstruction, the last from De Graff & Bouhuys at Yale. A bonus in this issue is a 19-page review by W. L. Nyhan of the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Here is the latest word on this gruesome but important malady. Like all the Annual Reviews, this edition has excellent bibliographies and a good index of authors and subjects. It should be in all departmental libraries for the refreshment of the old and the stimulation of the young. A. Tait Smith Methods in Inzmunodiagnosis, eds NOELR. ROSE& PIERLUIGI E. BIGAZZI. 1973. Wiley-Interscience, New York. 212 pp. A4612.95. This volume represents a synopsis of a WHO sponsored laboratory course held at the Centre for Immunology in Buffalo, U.S.A., the aim of which was to provide instruction in some of the more practical aspects of immunodiagnosis. Each section contains a concise outline of the basic principles involved in the various procedures followed by a detailed description of methodology including information on both preparation and sources of reagents. The latter is particularly helpful since details of this kind are so often vital to the laboratory worker setting up a test for the first time. The book is divided into 9 chapters covering a wide range of tests including precipitin and agglutinin reactions, complement determinations, immunohaematological procedures, methods involving labelled antigens and antibodies, leucocyte typing and methods for assessment of cell-mediated immunity. Individual tests are followed by a bibliography. In some instances (e.g. tests of cell-mediated immunity) alternative methods are outlined, providing a range of possibilities for the laboratory worker. Although some selection has been employed, the procedures described, as the editors point out, have general application in many spheres and in several instances are not well documented elsewhere. In addition, they are applicable both to the experimentalist and to the clinical scientist. As such, the book should appeal to a variety of workers including laboratory directors, technicians and clinicians in the fields of immunology, biochemistry and haematology. It represents a very worthwhile addition to one’s library.
A. Basten