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Diagnostic devices manual and directory.
Book Review
Diagnostic Devices Manual and Directory. Immunology and Microbiology Tests, Vol. 1 (Albumin to Hepatitis) and Vol. 2 (Herpes Simplex to Yeast) Roy W. Stevens. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1986, 3338 pp, $245.00. In this two-volume publication, Dr. Roy Stevens has adeptly filled a vacuum in the diagnostic laboratory scientist's library. At long last, we now have a manual and a directory reasonably complete with actual reproductions of the detailed instruction sheets attached to commercial kits for diagnostic microbiology and immunology tests licensed by the FDA. More than 600 package inserts from at least 100 different manufacturers provide meticulous descriptions of qualitative as well as quantitative procedures, reagents, controls, and result interpretations. Intended by the editor to serve as a manual and a directory, this pair of massive volumes (obviously required by the 3338 pages of material) are effectively organized to serve as a practical source of critical information
needed to perform tests accurately, economically, and safely. Pathologists and directors of clinical and public health laboratories are frequently confronted with the dilemma of which test is most appropriate for his or her own setting according to the measures of sensitivity, specificity, simplicity, savings, safety, speed, stability, standardization and, last but not least, the quality of service offered by representatives of respective manufacturers. As a manual, this publication is organized by protocol according to test techniques. The protocols--as required by the FDA--include the brand and generic names, intended use, summary and explanation of the test, procedure, principles, warnings/precautions, specimen collection and preparation, expected results, and tolerance limits, as well as performance characteristics. As a directory, this work encompasses an alphabetical list of over 280 analytes and the ways in which they may be measured, the technology required, and available protocols. The information provided will help the user determine quickly whether a test kit is commercially available; if it is, one can then easily find the pertinent informa-
tion. If this technical information is lacking, the user is referred to the convenient address and telephone index. It is expected that different reviewers will offer constructive criticism in their own ways, depending on their particular areas of expertise within the broad and complex fields of immunology and microbiology. Accordingly, this reviewer is confident that Dr. Stevens will prepare an addendum to update all areas in a timely manner. The cost-effective publication of these addendum updates should serve as an incentive to the user of this valuable and opportune laboratory addition. Although the initial cost of these volumes is high, but not out of line, the user will be able to recoup this investment several-fold in terms of time saved and other fringe benefits (e.g., in teaching and research). Dr. Stevens is eminently qualified to have edited this work because of his extensive experience in the fields of immunology and microbiology. He should be highly commended for a job well done! Mario R. Escobar, Ph.D. Medical College of Virginia Richmond, Virginia
Meeting Announcement
Fifth Annual Medical Laboratory Immunology Symposium Hospitality House, Williamsburg, Virginia May 3-6, 1987 The Fifth Annual MLIS Meeting, originally scheduled for October 19-22, 1986, at the Surfside Holiday Inn, Clearwater, Florida, has been
Clinical Immunology Newsletter 7:10. 1986
postponed due to circumstances beyond our control. The meeting has been rescheduled for May 3 - 6 , 1987, at the Hospitality
© 1986 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., lnc,
House in Williamsburg, Virginia. The scientific program will remain basically the same. Further details will appear in a later issue of this newsletter. In the meantime you may address any questions to Dr. Mario R. Escobar, Box 106, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23298. (804) 786-0856.
0197-1859/86/S0.00 + 02.20
159
Diagnostic Devices Manual and Directory. Immunology and Microbiology Tests, Vol. 1 (Albumin to Hepatitis) and Vol. 2 (Herpes Simplex to Yeast) Roy W. Stevens. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1986, 3338 pp, $245.00. In this two-volume publication, Dr. Roy Stevens has adeptly filled a vacuum in the diagnostic laboratory scientist's library. At long last, we now have a manual and a directory reasonably complete with actual reproductions of the detailed instruction sheets attached to commercial kits for diagnostic microbiology and immunology tests licensed by the FDA. More than 600 package inserts from at least 100 different manufacturers provide meticulous descriptions of qualitative as well as quantitative procedures, reagents, controls, and result interpretations. Intended by the editor to serve as a manual and a directory, this pair of massive volumes (obviously required by the 3338 pages of material) are effectively organized to serve as a practical source of critical information
needed to perform tests accurately, economically, and safely. Pathologists and directors of clinical and public health laboratories are frequently confronted with the dilemma of which test is most appropriate for his or her own setting according to the measures of sensitivity, specificity, simplicity, savings, safety, speed, stability, standardization and, last but not least, the quality of service offered by representatives of respective manufacturers. As a manual, this publication is organized by protocol according to test techniques. The protocols--as required by the FDA--include the brand and generic names, intended use, summary and explanation of the test, procedure, principles, warnings/precautions, specimen collection and preparation, expected results, and tolerance limits, as well as performance characteristics. As a directory, this work encompasses an alphabetical list of over 280 analytes and the ways in which they may be measured, the technology required, and available protocols. The information provided will help the user determine quickly whether a test kit is commercially available; if it is, one can then easily find the pertinent informa-
tion. If this technical information is lacking, the user is referred to the convenient address and telephone index. It is expected that different reviewers will offer constructive criticism in their own ways, depending on their particular areas of expertise within the broad and complex fields of immunology and microbiology. Accordingly, this reviewer is confident that Dr. Stevens will prepare an addendum to update all areas in a timely manner. The cost-effective publication of these addendum updates should serve as an incentive to the user of this valuable and opportune laboratory addition. Although the initial cost of these volumes is high, but not out of line, the user will be able to recoup this investment several-fold in terms of time saved and other fringe benefits (e.g., in teaching and research). Dr. Stevens is eminently qualified to have edited this work because of his extensive experience in the fields of immunology and microbiology. He should be highly commended for a job well done! Mario R. Escobar, Ph.D. Medical College of Virginia Richmond, Virginia
Meeting Announcement
Fifth Annual Medical Laboratory Immunology Symposium Hospitality House, Williamsburg, Virginia May 3-6, 1987 The Fifth Annual MLIS Meeting, originally scheduled for October 19-22, 1986, at the Surfside Holiday Inn, Clearwater, Florida, has been
Clinical Immunology Newsletter 7:10. 1986
postponed due to circumstances beyond our control. The meeting has been rescheduled for May 3 - 6 , 1987, at the Hospitality
© 1986 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., lnc,
House in Williamsburg, Virginia. The scientific program will remain basically the same. Further details will appear in a later issue of this newsletter. In the meantime you may address any questions to Dr. Mario R. Escobar, Box 106, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23298. (804) 786-0856.
0197-1859/86/S0.00 + 02.20
159