- Email: [email protected]
CRYPTOCOCCOSIS
VoL XXXD
COLLEGE NEWS
361
CRYPTOCOCCOSIS, by M. L. Littman, M.D. and Lorenz E. Zimmerman, M.D. Grune & Stratton, New York and London, 1956, $8.50. Doctors Littman and Zimmerman are of the opinion that many cases of cryptococcosis are unrecognized, although only approximately 300 cases have been reported in the literature. This is borne out by the fact there is a wide discrepancy numerically in the published reports from various hospitals in the United States and in other countries. A short chapter on the source of infection and the portal of entry into the body suggests that the source of infection may be found in vegetable materials, foodstuffs and animals, and various portals of entry, although they believe the respiratory tract is the usual one. The human clinical aspects of cryptococcosis are well covered with illustrative case reports, photographs, autopsies, pathologic material and roentgenograms. Their discussion on the disease in animals tends to reveal important suggestions regarding the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis in man. The most outstanding feature of the monograph deals with the pathology of cryptococcosis. Beautiful plates dealing with the microscopic and macroscopic appearance of the affected tissues have been painstakingly and carefully reproduced from a relatively large group of autopsied material. They stress that, although enlargement of the visceral organs to a degree that they are clinically evident is quite unusual, widespread microscopic lesions may be found. The section on laboratory studies includes the cytology of the fungus, direct examination of tissues and exudates, cultural studies, biochemical and physiologic reactions, botanical classification of C. neoformans and asporogenous yeasts, pathogenicity for animals, histopathologic diagnosis and criteria for identifiction of C. neoformans. The final chapter on treatment and prognosis covers in detail our scant, definitive knowledge of the present day. It is my opinion that the monograph on cryptococcosis by Drs. Littman and Zimmerman is the most complete survey of the subject published up to this time. I was impressed with the careful attention with which their material was handled and transcribed, as well as their accurate survey of previously published studies of cryptococcosis. It is the only complete expose of the entire subject previously brought to my attention. Therefore, I recommend it to youpractitioner as well as the serious student of pathogenic mycology. Alvis E. Greer, M.D. PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD NATIONAL CANCER CONFERENCE, Detroit, Michigan, June 4-6, 1956. Sponsored by American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, United States Public Health Service. Philadelphia and Montreal, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1957, 961 pages, $9.00. Although the two preceding National Cancer Conferences were excellent, the Third National Cancer Conference far exceeded all the others, and anyone interested in cancer should become familiar with the Proceedings, which are voluminous. It is impossible, in a review, to do justice to the work, because it is so comprehensive. There are a group of general lectures which are excellent and which are presented by authorities in the various fields. These are epidemiology as a tool in cancer research, radiation neoplasia, the virus etiology of cancer, the chemical effects of growing tumors on the host with special reference to iron, factors influencing the curability of cancer, and the measurement of morbidity. Then there are a group of symposia and panels, one on cancer of the breast, in which the subject is discussed from all angles. Another panel is cancer of the prostate in which suprarenalectomy and hypophysectomy are discussed. There is also a symposium on lymphomas and leukemias. There is another symposium on chemotherapy and cancer and a symposium on cancer of the lung. There is another symposium on cancer of the head and neck, one on cancer of the female genital tract, one on the gastrointestinal tract, and finally one on the end results in the treatment of cancer. Thus, it is seen that one cannot miss studying thi! volume for a comprehensive review of the present concept of cancer. Alton Ochsner, M.D.
COLLEGE NEWS
361
CRYPTOCOCCOSIS, by M. L. Littman, M.D. and Lorenz E. Zimmerman, M.D. Grune & Stratton, New York and London, 1956, $8.50. Doctors Littman and Zimmerman are of the opinion that many cases of cryptococcosis are unrecognized, although only approximately 300 cases have been reported in the literature. This is borne out by the fact there is a wide discrepancy numerically in the published reports from various hospitals in the United States and in other countries. A short chapter on the source of infection and the portal of entry into the body suggests that the source of infection may be found in vegetable materials, foodstuffs and animals, and various portals of entry, although they believe the respiratory tract is the usual one. The human clinical aspects of cryptococcosis are well covered with illustrative case reports, photographs, autopsies, pathologic material and roentgenograms. Their discussion on the disease in animals tends to reveal important suggestions regarding the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis in man. The most outstanding feature of the monograph deals with the pathology of cryptococcosis. Beautiful plates dealing with the microscopic and macroscopic appearance of the affected tissues have been painstakingly and carefully reproduced from a relatively large group of autopsied material. They stress that, although enlargement of the visceral organs to a degree that they are clinically evident is quite unusual, widespread microscopic lesions may be found. The section on laboratory studies includes the cytology of the fungus, direct examination of tissues and exudates, cultural studies, biochemical and physiologic reactions, botanical classification of C. neoformans and asporogenous yeasts, pathogenicity for animals, histopathologic diagnosis and criteria for identifiction of C. neoformans. The final chapter on treatment and prognosis covers in detail our scant, definitive knowledge of the present day. It is my opinion that the monograph on cryptococcosis by Drs. Littman and Zimmerman is the most complete survey of the subject published up to this time. I was impressed with the careful attention with which their material was handled and transcribed, as well as their accurate survey of previously published studies of cryptococcosis. It is the only complete expose of the entire subject previously brought to my attention. Therefore, I recommend it to youpractitioner as well as the serious student of pathogenic mycology. Alvis E. Greer, M.D. PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD NATIONAL CANCER CONFERENCE, Detroit, Michigan, June 4-6, 1956. Sponsored by American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, United States Public Health Service. Philadelphia and Montreal, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1957, 961 pages, $9.00. Although the two preceding National Cancer Conferences were excellent, the Third National Cancer Conference far exceeded all the others, and anyone interested in cancer should become familiar with the Proceedings, which are voluminous. It is impossible, in a review, to do justice to the work, because it is so comprehensive. There are a group of general lectures which are excellent and which are presented by authorities in the various fields. These are epidemiology as a tool in cancer research, radiation neoplasia, the virus etiology of cancer, the chemical effects of growing tumors on the host with special reference to iron, factors influencing the curability of cancer, and the measurement of morbidity. Then there are a group of symposia and panels, one on cancer of the breast, in which the subject is discussed from all angles. Another panel is cancer of the prostate in which suprarenalectomy and hypophysectomy are discussed. There is also a symposium on lymphomas and leukemias. There is another symposium on chemotherapy and cancer and a symposium on cancer of the lung. There is another symposium on cancer of the head and neck, one on cancer of the female genital tract, one on the gastrointestinal tract, and finally one on the end results in the treatment of cancer. Thus, it is seen that one cannot miss studying thi! volume for a comprehensive review of the present concept of cancer. Alton Ochsner, M.D.