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Biochemistry of the acute allergic reactions (Second International Symposium)
CLINICAL
IMMUNOLOGY
AND
IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
1,547-548
(1973)
Book Reviews Immunology,
by Joseph
A. Bellanti.
W. B. Saunders
Philadelphia,
1971,
854 pp.,
$15.75.
The author has assumed and largely succeeded in the prodigous task of writing a concise and comprehensive textbook of modem immunology. Although written mainly by a single author, selected chapters have received the collaboration of several specialists. This highly readable work is divided into three sections: (1) principles, (2) mechanisms of the immune response, and (3) clinical applications. Interspersed throughout the entire text is a marvelous panoply of drawings, diagrams, and illustrations. These serve to clarify the many complex interrelationships of cells, antibodies, and other elements which cooperate in the expression of immunity. A great deal of attention has been paid to interrelating structure and function, an exercise which lends itself naturally to immunobiology and immunochemistry. A refreshing emphasis is laid in numerous sections on the role of the phagocytic system in immunity. This is especially important, since many immunologists tend to relegate this “primitive” defense mechanism to a subordinate role vis a vis the lymphocytes and immunoglobulins. Another unique feature, which adds a note of humor, is provided by the ongoing references to bistorical aspects of immunology which are often punctuated by contemporary illustrations and paintings. The references and bibliography at the end of various chapters are most adequate and up to date. An outspoken bias of the author’s is his attempt to relate normal and pathologic immune mechanisms to human disease. This approach is, in fact, a major strength of the book and goes far to raise clinical immunology to its rightful scientific status. The book is intended as a concise summary of current concepts in immunology. It falls somewhat short of the mark, particularly in the chapters on immunoglobulins and immunogenetics. Despite the somewhat superficial treatment of some topics, this book is a welcome addition to the rapidly growing body of theory and fact in modem immunology. It is highly recommended to the basic scientist, students of immunology, and most certainly to the clinical immunologist.
School
Biochemistry of the Acute Edited by K. Frank Austen 368 pp., $14.00.
Allergic and Elmer
of Medicine
DANIEL PAGE STITES University of California, San Francisco, California 94122
Reactions (Second L. Becker. F. A.
international Symposium) Davis, Philadelphia, 1971,
The published record of this excellent Brooks Lodge symposium provides a complete summary of our present knowledge of the subject. Comparison with the published proceedings of the First International Symposium held 4 years ago indicates the steady progress in virtually all aspects of this field. Particularly striking is the advance made in studying the genetic control of homocytotropic antibody production, the demonstration of the involvement of cyclic AMP in various allergic cellular and tissue responses, the isolation in pure form of the various components of the kinin-forming system, and the recognition of the alternate or bypass system of complement activation. This is an outstanding symposium, in terms of the originality and importance of the contributions of the 38 participants. Of particular interest are the chapters dealing with “Chemotactic factors for neutrophils, eosinophils, mononuclear cells and lymphocytes” (P. A. Ward); “Biochemical aspects of the Copyright All rights
@ 1973 by Academic Press, Inc. of reproduction in any form reserved.
547
548
BOOK
REVIEWS
polymorphonuclear response to chemotactic factor” (E. L. Becker); and “Participation of complement in initiation of blood coagulation and in normal coagulation process” (T. S. Zimmerman and C. M. Arroyave). In short, this book is highly recommended. H.
School
of Medicine
HUGH
University San Francisco,
FUDENBERC
of California, California, 94122
IMMUNOLOGY
AND
IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
1,547-548
(1973)
Book Reviews Immunology,
by Joseph
A. Bellanti.
W. B. Saunders
Philadelphia,
1971,
854 pp.,
$15.75.
The author has assumed and largely succeeded in the prodigous task of writing a concise and comprehensive textbook of modem immunology. Although written mainly by a single author, selected chapters have received the collaboration of several specialists. This highly readable work is divided into three sections: (1) principles, (2) mechanisms of the immune response, and (3) clinical applications. Interspersed throughout the entire text is a marvelous panoply of drawings, diagrams, and illustrations. These serve to clarify the many complex interrelationships of cells, antibodies, and other elements which cooperate in the expression of immunity. A great deal of attention has been paid to interrelating structure and function, an exercise which lends itself naturally to immunobiology and immunochemistry. A refreshing emphasis is laid in numerous sections on the role of the phagocytic system in immunity. This is especially important, since many immunologists tend to relegate this “primitive” defense mechanism to a subordinate role vis a vis the lymphocytes and immunoglobulins. Another unique feature, which adds a note of humor, is provided by the ongoing references to bistorical aspects of immunology which are often punctuated by contemporary illustrations and paintings. The references and bibliography at the end of various chapters are most adequate and up to date. An outspoken bias of the author’s is his attempt to relate normal and pathologic immune mechanisms to human disease. This approach is, in fact, a major strength of the book and goes far to raise clinical immunology to its rightful scientific status. The book is intended as a concise summary of current concepts in immunology. It falls somewhat short of the mark, particularly in the chapters on immunoglobulins and immunogenetics. Despite the somewhat superficial treatment of some topics, this book is a welcome addition to the rapidly growing body of theory and fact in modem immunology. It is highly recommended to the basic scientist, students of immunology, and most certainly to the clinical immunologist.
School
Biochemistry of the Acute Edited by K. Frank Austen 368 pp., $14.00.
Allergic and Elmer
of Medicine
DANIEL PAGE STITES University of California, San Francisco, California 94122
Reactions (Second L. Becker. F. A.
international Symposium) Davis, Philadelphia, 1971,
The published record of this excellent Brooks Lodge symposium provides a complete summary of our present knowledge of the subject. Comparison with the published proceedings of the First International Symposium held 4 years ago indicates the steady progress in virtually all aspects of this field. Particularly striking is the advance made in studying the genetic control of homocytotropic antibody production, the demonstration of the involvement of cyclic AMP in various allergic cellular and tissue responses, the isolation in pure form of the various components of the kinin-forming system, and the recognition of the alternate or bypass system of complement activation. This is an outstanding symposium, in terms of the originality and importance of the contributions of the 38 participants. Of particular interest are the chapters dealing with “Chemotactic factors for neutrophils, eosinophils, mononuclear cells and lymphocytes” (P. A. Ward); “Biochemical aspects of the Copyright All rights
@ 1973 by Academic Press, Inc. of reproduction in any form reserved.
547
548
BOOK
REVIEWS
polymorphonuclear response to chemotactic factor” (E. L. Becker); and “Participation of complement in initiation of blood coagulation and in normal coagulation process” (T. S. Zimmerman and C. M. Arroyave). In short, this book is highly recommended. H.
School
of Medicine
HUGH
University San Francisco,
FUDENBERC
of California, California, 94122