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Dengue haemorrhagic fever: diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control
BOOK REVIEW S
Chapters 2 and 3 give a reasonable introduction to common differentiation antigens and then a brief interpretation of flow cytometry. Chapters 4 to 12 discuss various clinical applications, namely peripheral lymphocyte subset enumeration, stem cells, immunodeficiency syndrom es, HIV, transplantation, autoimmune disease, chronic lymphoproliferative disease, acute leukemias and PNH. M ost chapters give a brief synopsis of the salient markers and disease states relevant to the chapter ± the book does not intend to present methods or techniques. There is substantial variation in the depth of discussion, with for example, 20 pages devoted to stem cells compared to seven pages for chronic lymphoproliferative disease and nine pages for acute leukemias. The chapter on chronic lymphoproliferative disease is particularly weak with only B-CLL and LGL leukemia given any meaningful information. The entire description of hairy cell leukemia consists of: ªTypical hairy cell leukemia cells are of B-lineage, expressing CD11c and CD25. But other immunophenotypic forms are frequent.º The second sentence illustrates the style of writing where ambiguous language and frank inaccuracy are difficult to dissect from one another. Although the book is devoted to leucocytes, a section on platelets might have been appropriate. Chapter 13, ªM emorandum of Leukocyte Differentiation Antigensº, was the most useful and accounts for close on half the book, pages 103 to 174. In this section, every clustered antigen from CD1 to CD130 is described under the headings of other names, molecular structure and family, molecular weight, ligand, cellular expression and idiosyncrasies ± the latter usually explaining the function of a particular antigen. There are however other publications, such as the ªFacts Bookº and the proceedings of the Workshop itself, ªLeucocyte Typing VIº the most recent, which provide similar information. Overall, I do not believe the book has enough merit to warrant recommendation. Stephen M ulligan Department of Hematology Concord Hospital, NSW
Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. 2nd edition. S I-C HUN M ING AND H ARVEY G OLDMAN, EDITORS. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1998. ISBN 0 ± 683 ±18007 ± X, pp. xxxii + 988. AU$385. This book is devoted to the gross and microscopic pathology of the gastrointestinal (Gl) tract and is edited by two authoritative pathologists in this subspecialty. The book presents a rather astonishingly comprehensive account of the various aspects of gastrointestinal pathology, but does not include diseases of the liver and pancreas. It is well referenced and comprehensively indexed. The book is arbitrarily divided into six parts beginning with ten chapters in part I that provide a fairly extensive coverage of basic general principles of pathology as applied to the GI tract. The approach to handling mucosal biopsies and gross surgical and autopsy specimens are briefly outlined in the first chapter, followed by discussions on normal functional anatomy, histology and physiology, cytological techniques, immunohistology, cell morphometry, genetics, molecular biology and cell kinetics of the GI tract. A chapter on endoscopy and biopsy techniques was most enlightening, especially for the practising diagnostic pathologist to be aware of the difficulties encountered by the clinician or endoscopist, as well as the pitfalls in interpreting biopsy findings such as artefacts and optimising technical quality for accurate interpretation. The second part of the book covers som e of the topics in GI tract pathology using a broad etiological approach that includes discussions of various GI tract pathology under the headings of developmental, chemical and physical, allergic, motor and mechanical, vascular, endocrine, immunodeficiency, lymphoproliferative and systemic disorders. This is followed by four other parts (parts III to VI) which constitute the bulk of the book and are essentially encyclopedic discussions on the various conditions that are known to affect the GI tract extending from the esophagus to the anal canal. The depth of the discussions covering each condition is impressive and the accompanying illustrations are adequate and of high quality. The format of presentation in these five parts of the book appears standard, with systematic presentation of information that includes classification, epidemiology, pathogenesis, gross and microscopic pathology, differential diagnosis and clinico-pathological correlations. M y major criticism of the book is the overall organisation of the different sections covered. This is not a book that one can read from cover
75
to cover, due to the extensive amount of information provided and, unfortunately, the separation of many of its excellent color photomicrographs, which are grouped together at the front of the book away from the different chapters covering the specific conditions (although these are also reproduced in black and white). I would have thought that the current technological progress in publication reproduction of illustrations would have allowed the printing of these illustrations on the same pages as the text for the specific condition discussed. Although each chapter of the book contains an encyclopedic wealth of information, there is no specific practical approach to day-to-day GI tract surgical pathology problems. However in my opinion, the book is more useful as a reference for up-to-date information on a specific GI disease than as a practical bench-type textbook. C. Soon Lee Department of Anatomical Pathology Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW
Dengue haemorrhagic fever: diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. 2nd edition. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1997. ISBN 92 ± 4± 154500 ± 3, pp. viii + 84. US$23.40. Epidemics of dengue fever, an acute self-limiting viral infection caused by one of the flaviviruses and transmitted by the urban-dwelling mosquito Aedes aegyptii, have occurred in the tropics and sub-tropics throughout this century. However, the potentially lethal complications of dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrom e, were first recognized only in 1954, and for the next 20 years were largely confined to the Philippines and Thailand. Since the 1970s these two syndrom es have occurred, in association with increasing numbers of dengue epidemics, extensively throughout Asia and Central America. They have also made their appearance in tropical Africa. In response to the worldwide spread of dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrom e, and the resurgence of dengue fever, WHO commissioned a series of technical guides for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, prevention and control of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the 1970s and 1980s, and issued the first edition of the monograph ªDengue haemorrhagic fever ± diagnosis, treatment and controlº in 1986. The publication under review is the second edition of this monograph in which all sections have been expanded and updated. It includes a brief account of the spread of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever, its current geographic distribution, its pathology and current concepts of its pathogenesis. Clinical aspects include the common manifestations in tabular and narrative form, laboratory findings and complications. It provides case definitions for dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrom e, and includes a useful figure illustrating the clinical spectrum of the disease. Aspects of management of the disease include indications for hospitalization and provide detailed volume replacement flow charts for both dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrom e, with criteria for both deterioration and recovery. The advice is primarily aimed at health centres with limited clinical and laboratory facilities, but it includes much material which would be helpful in more sophisticated medical environments where children with the disease may be encountered. Other sections deal with laboratory diagnosis, the role of public health instrumentalities in the monitoring and early detection of outbreaks, and the role of the primary health care worker in both clinical and epidemiological activities. This slim volume brings together a considerable amount of useful information of value to clinicians, laboratory workers and epidemiologists and public health workers in endemic dengue areas. It would be of practical value to clinicians who may encounter sporadic cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, and should be of general interest to all who practice in countries such as Australia, which are subject to epidemics of dengue, even where dengue hemorrhagic fever has not yet appeared as a clinical problem. Gregory Crane Department of M edicine Sydney University, NSW Department of Hematology Concord Repatiation General Hospital, NSW
Chapters 2 and 3 give a reasonable introduction to common differentiation antigens and then a brief interpretation of flow cytometry. Chapters 4 to 12 discuss various clinical applications, namely peripheral lymphocyte subset enumeration, stem cells, immunodeficiency syndrom es, HIV, transplantation, autoimmune disease, chronic lymphoproliferative disease, acute leukemias and PNH. M ost chapters give a brief synopsis of the salient markers and disease states relevant to the chapter ± the book does not intend to present methods or techniques. There is substantial variation in the depth of discussion, with for example, 20 pages devoted to stem cells compared to seven pages for chronic lymphoproliferative disease and nine pages for acute leukemias. The chapter on chronic lymphoproliferative disease is particularly weak with only B-CLL and LGL leukemia given any meaningful information. The entire description of hairy cell leukemia consists of: ªTypical hairy cell leukemia cells are of B-lineage, expressing CD11c and CD25. But other immunophenotypic forms are frequent.º The second sentence illustrates the style of writing where ambiguous language and frank inaccuracy are difficult to dissect from one another. Although the book is devoted to leucocytes, a section on platelets might have been appropriate. Chapter 13, ªM emorandum of Leukocyte Differentiation Antigensº, was the most useful and accounts for close on half the book, pages 103 to 174. In this section, every clustered antigen from CD1 to CD130 is described under the headings of other names, molecular structure and family, molecular weight, ligand, cellular expression and idiosyncrasies ± the latter usually explaining the function of a particular antigen. There are however other publications, such as the ªFacts Bookº and the proceedings of the Workshop itself, ªLeucocyte Typing VIº the most recent, which provide similar information. Overall, I do not believe the book has enough merit to warrant recommendation. Stephen M ulligan Department of Hematology Concord Hospital, NSW
Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. 2nd edition. S I-C HUN M ING AND H ARVEY G OLDMAN, EDITORS. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1998. ISBN 0 ± 683 ±18007 ± X, pp. xxxii + 988. AU$385. This book is devoted to the gross and microscopic pathology of the gastrointestinal (Gl) tract and is edited by two authoritative pathologists in this subspecialty. The book presents a rather astonishingly comprehensive account of the various aspects of gastrointestinal pathology, but does not include diseases of the liver and pancreas. It is well referenced and comprehensively indexed. The book is arbitrarily divided into six parts beginning with ten chapters in part I that provide a fairly extensive coverage of basic general principles of pathology as applied to the GI tract. The approach to handling mucosal biopsies and gross surgical and autopsy specimens are briefly outlined in the first chapter, followed by discussions on normal functional anatomy, histology and physiology, cytological techniques, immunohistology, cell morphometry, genetics, molecular biology and cell kinetics of the GI tract. A chapter on endoscopy and biopsy techniques was most enlightening, especially for the practising diagnostic pathologist to be aware of the difficulties encountered by the clinician or endoscopist, as well as the pitfalls in interpreting biopsy findings such as artefacts and optimising technical quality for accurate interpretation. The second part of the book covers som e of the topics in GI tract pathology using a broad etiological approach that includes discussions of various GI tract pathology under the headings of developmental, chemical and physical, allergic, motor and mechanical, vascular, endocrine, immunodeficiency, lymphoproliferative and systemic disorders. This is followed by four other parts (parts III to VI) which constitute the bulk of the book and are essentially encyclopedic discussions on the various conditions that are known to affect the GI tract extending from the esophagus to the anal canal. The depth of the discussions covering each condition is impressive and the accompanying illustrations are adequate and of high quality. The format of presentation in these five parts of the book appears standard, with systematic presentation of information that includes classification, epidemiology, pathogenesis, gross and microscopic pathology, differential diagnosis and clinico-pathological correlations. M y major criticism of the book is the overall organisation of the different sections covered. This is not a book that one can read from cover
75
to cover, due to the extensive amount of information provided and, unfortunately, the separation of many of its excellent color photomicrographs, which are grouped together at the front of the book away from the different chapters covering the specific conditions (although these are also reproduced in black and white). I would have thought that the current technological progress in publication reproduction of illustrations would have allowed the printing of these illustrations on the same pages as the text for the specific condition discussed. Although each chapter of the book contains an encyclopedic wealth of information, there is no specific practical approach to day-to-day GI tract surgical pathology problems. However in my opinion, the book is more useful as a reference for up-to-date information on a specific GI disease than as a practical bench-type textbook. C. Soon Lee Department of Anatomical Pathology Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW
Dengue haemorrhagic fever: diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. 2nd edition. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1997. ISBN 92 ± 4± 154500 ± 3, pp. viii + 84. US$23.40. Epidemics of dengue fever, an acute self-limiting viral infection caused by one of the flaviviruses and transmitted by the urban-dwelling mosquito Aedes aegyptii, have occurred in the tropics and sub-tropics throughout this century. However, the potentially lethal complications of dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrom e, were first recognized only in 1954, and for the next 20 years were largely confined to the Philippines and Thailand. Since the 1970s these two syndrom es have occurred, in association with increasing numbers of dengue epidemics, extensively throughout Asia and Central America. They have also made their appearance in tropical Africa. In response to the worldwide spread of dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrom e, and the resurgence of dengue fever, WHO commissioned a series of technical guides for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, prevention and control of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the 1970s and 1980s, and issued the first edition of the monograph ªDengue haemorrhagic fever ± diagnosis, treatment and controlº in 1986. The publication under review is the second edition of this monograph in which all sections have been expanded and updated. It includes a brief account of the spread of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever, its current geographic distribution, its pathology and current concepts of its pathogenesis. Clinical aspects include the common manifestations in tabular and narrative form, laboratory findings and complications. It provides case definitions for dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrom e, and includes a useful figure illustrating the clinical spectrum of the disease. Aspects of management of the disease include indications for hospitalization and provide detailed volume replacement flow charts for both dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrom e, with criteria for both deterioration and recovery. The advice is primarily aimed at health centres with limited clinical and laboratory facilities, but it includes much material which would be helpful in more sophisticated medical environments where children with the disease may be encountered. Other sections deal with laboratory diagnosis, the role of public health instrumentalities in the monitoring and early detection of outbreaks, and the role of the primary health care worker in both clinical and epidemiological activities. This slim volume brings together a considerable amount of useful information of value to clinicians, laboratory workers and epidemiologists and public health workers in endemic dengue areas. It would be of practical value to clinicians who may encounter sporadic cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, and should be of general interest to all who practice in countries such as Australia, which are subject to epidemics of dengue, even where dengue hemorrhagic fever has not yet appeared as a clinical problem. Gregory Crane Department of M edicine Sydney University, NSW Department of Hematology Concord Repatiation General Hospital, NSW