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Parasitic infections. Contemporary issues in infectious diseases
Journal of Hospital Infection (1989) 14, 182
Book review Parasitic Churchill
Infections. Contemporary Issues in Infectious Livingstone (1988). pp. 364, 442.50.
Diseases.
Vol.
7. London:
Thirty-one authors from the USA, some of whom are basic scientists and others clinicians, have contributed to the nineteen chapters in this volume. The opening chapter defines what parasitology is and reviews the evolution of the discipline, and is followed by one which puts into perspective the world-wide burden of parasitic disease, relative to other microbial diseases-useful data about levels of parasitism, illness, disability and mortality are presented. A series of chapters are devoted to parasite biology, providing an in-depth analysis of specific research issues. These cover antigenic variation in parasites, the role of proteinases in pathogenicity and immunopathology and resistance in helminth infections. Three chapters are devoted to developments in the field of antiparasitic agents and resistance, and a great deal of further information about therapy is given in chapters on specific parasites. One or more chapters are devoted to reviews of Cryptosporidium, Pneumocystis carinii, Giardia, amoebiasis, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and toxoplasmosis. These give new information about pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, as well as reviewing clinical features both traditional and new; in the latter context there is a chapter on amoebiasis and giardiasis in homosexuals and another on cerebral toxoplasmosis in AIDS. A chapter is devoted to malaria vaccines and prospects for vaccination against a number of other parasites are also discussed in the book. The book is well written and illustrated, with an extensive bibliography and an index that withstood all my tests. This volume is a worthy addition to the series and I commend it to both clinicians and laboratory workers.
Department of Microbiology, Children’s Hospital, Ladywood, Middleway, Birmingham B16 SET, UK
R. H. George
182
Book review Parasitic Churchill
Infections. Contemporary Issues in Infectious Livingstone (1988). pp. 364, 442.50.
Diseases.
Vol.
7. London:
Thirty-one authors from the USA, some of whom are basic scientists and others clinicians, have contributed to the nineteen chapters in this volume. The opening chapter defines what parasitology is and reviews the evolution of the discipline, and is followed by one which puts into perspective the world-wide burden of parasitic disease, relative to other microbial diseases-useful data about levels of parasitism, illness, disability and mortality are presented. A series of chapters are devoted to parasite biology, providing an in-depth analysis of specific research issues. These cover antigenic variation in parasites, the role of proteinases in pathogenicity and immunopathology and resistance in helminth infections. Three chapters are devoted to developments in the field of antiparasitic agents and resistance, and a great deal of further information about therapy is given in chapters on specific parasites. One or more chapters are devoted to reviews of Cryptosporidium, Pneumocystis carinii, Giardia, amoebiasis, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and toxoplasmosis. These give new information about pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, as well as reviewing clinical features both traditional and new; in the latter context there is a chapter on amoebiasis and giardiasis in homosexuals and another on cerebral toxoplasmosis in AIDS. A chapter is devoted to malaria vaccines and prospects for vaccination against a number of other parasites are also discussed in the book. The book is well written and illustrated, with an extensive bibliography and an index that withstood all my tests. This volume is a worthy addition to the series and I commend it to both clinicians and laboratory workers.
Department of Microbiology, Children’s Hospital, Ladywood, Middleway, Birmingham B16 SET, UK
R. H. George
182