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Parasitology in focus, facts and trends
Veterinary Parasitology, 37 ( 1990 ) 83-87 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam
83
Book Reviews PARASITOLOGY IN FOCUS
Parasitology in Focus, Facts and Trends. Heniz Melhorn (Editor), SpringerVerlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New Y o r k / L o n d o n / P a r i s / T o k y o , 1988, 924 pp., 1998 figs. on 399 plates, 119 tables, hardcover, Dfl.298, ISBN 3-54017838-4. Parasitology in Focus is a combination of 22 substantial review chapters on most areas of the wide discipline of parasitology. These chapters were exquisitely written by some of the most eminent authorities. The writings and illustrations are skillfully constructed to serve both the novice and the expert. They provide good synopses of the previous work and document the views with good lists of the bibliography. The book seems to have been in preparation since 1986 as this is the date of the latest citations in the volume. Obviously much has been accomplished since and the reader is advised to follow through if further progress is sought in a specific subject. The book is divided into six main areas although there are some unavoidable duplications. A. Structural descriptive, where the morphological characteristics of the organisms are outlined quite adequately, mainly in chapter 3, with narrations as well as illustrations of some organisms in many other chapters. B. Functional and physiological, as in chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9. These chapters are superb examples of how a lot of information can be condensed in a relatively small space. They deal with a wide area from the general and basic life cycles, which are well illustrated, to genetic and hormonal aspects of parasitism. C. Pathological, as in chapters 10, 11 and 12 where the pathogenesis of parasitological diseases in man and animals are discussed quite broadly. Sometimes these general descriptions do not satisfy those who are seeking more detailed information. The exception to this generalization is the chapter dealing with the pathological effects of parasitic infections on the human eye. D. Epidemiological which is discussed in chapters 6 and 13. The factors affecting the patterns of distribution of parasites and strain differentiations are presented in these chapters. E. Immunological considerations are discussed in chapters 14 to 19. These subjects include immunological responses of the host, genetic control of immunity, immunodiagnostic methods, preservation and cultivation of parasites and vaccine preparation. One gets the impression from reading these chapters that although much work has been performed and much information has been gained, the dream of obtaining a reliable, economic, mass produced vaccine is still elusive. F. Chemotherapy and control are dealt with in the last three chapters of the book. The use of medications for treatment and for control of parasitism in animals and
84
BOOK REVIEWS
man is expertly discussed. There are some duplications of effort in such areas as immunological control but in most cases they are necessary. The presentation in table form of the various medications used against certain parasites is excellent and provides a good synopsis for those seeking a quick reference. The basic factors involved in the phenomenon of drug resistance are discussed in a few human parasites but unfortunately this section is quite deficient. Strategies for control of human parasites are presented from zoonotic and hygienic aspects. The book is an excellent reference for the study of parasites and parasitic diseases in general and particularly human infections. It should be a ready reference in all biological, medical and veterinary libraries. The price may limit its presence in individual scientists' book collections. S.M. GAAFAR
School of Veterinary Medicine Purdue University Lafayette, Indiana, IN 47907 U.S.A.
TROPICAL VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
Manual of Tropical VeterinaryParasitology. Translated by M. Shah-Fischer and R. Say. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K., 1989,473 pp., softcover, ISBN: 2-11-084452-2. It is rather irritating to have one's interest stimulated by the title of a book and then to find that it does not, in fact, reflect its contents. Such is the case with this book whose all-embracing title suggests that finally someone has gathered together all the available knowledge on the vast field of tropical veterinary parasitology. In fact not only is this book devoted exclusively to Africa but also it is not a new book but a very worthy translation of one which was originally published in French in 1981. The Manual of Tropical VeterinaryParasitologyis published by CAB International and is a translation of the tenth in a series compiled by the Institut d'Elevage et de Medecine Veterinaire des Pays Chaud (IEMVT) and published by the French Ministry of Cooperation and Development. It consists of three parts, one on helminths in tropical Africa by Dr. P.M. Troncy, one on animal trypanosomes by Dr. J. Itard, and one on tick-borne diseases of livestock in Africa by Dr. P. Morel. Since the three parts of the manual do not conform to a common editorial style, they will be considered separately. Dr. Troncy's part of the manual consists of nine chapters, of which the first six are devoted to the helminths of ruminants and pigs considered in relation to their site of occurrence in their
83
Book Reviews PARASITOLOGY IN FOCUS
Parasitology in Focus, Facts and Trends. Heniz Melhorn (Editor), SpringerVerlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New Y o r k / L o n d o n / P a r i s / T o k y o , 1988, 924 pp., 1998 figs. on 399 plates, 119 tables, hardcover, Dfl.298, ISBN 3-54017838-4. Parasitology in Focus is a combination of 22 substantial review chapters on most areas of the wide discipline of parasitology. These chapters were exquisitely written by some of the most eminent authorities. The writings and illustrations are skillfully constructed to serve both the novice and the expert. They provide good synopses of the previous work and document the views with good lists of the bibliography. The book seems to have been in preparation since 1986 as this is the date of the latest citations in the volume. Obviously much has been accomplished since and the reader is advised to follow through if further progress is sought in a specific subject. The book is divided into six main areas although there are some unavoidable duplications. A. Structural descriptive, where the morphological characteristics of the organisms are outlined quite adequately, mainly in chapter 3, with narrations as well as illustrations of some organisms in many other chapters. B. Functional and physiological, as in chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9. These chapters are superb examples of how a lot of information can be condensed in a relatively small space. They deal with a wide area from the general and basic life cycles, which are well illustrated, to genetic and hormonal aspects of parasitism. C. Pathological, as in chapters 10, 11 and 12 where the pathogenesis of parasitological diseases in man and animals are discussed quite broadly. Sometimes these general descriptions do not satisfy those who are seeking more detailed information. The exception to this generalization is the chapter dealing with the pathological effects of parasitic infections on the human eye. D. Epidemiological which is discussed in chapters 6 and 13. The factors affecting the patterns of distribution of parasites and strain differentiations are presented in these chapters. E. Immunological considerations are discussed in chapters 14 to 19. These subjects include immunological responses of the host, genetic control of immunity, immunodiagnostic methods, preservation and cultivation of parasites and vaccine preparation. One gets the impression from reading these chapters that although much work has been performed and much information has been gained, the dream of obtaining a reliable, economic, mass produced vaccine is still elusive. F. Chemotherapy and control are dealt with in the last three chapters of the book. The use of medications for treatment and for control of parasitism in animals and
84
BOOK REVIEWS
man is expertly discussed. There are some duplications of effort in such areas as immunological control but in most cases they are necessary. The presentation in table form of the various medications used against certain parasites is excellent and provides a good synopsis for those seeking a quick reference. The basic factors involved in the phenomenon of drug resistance are discussed in a few human parasites but unfortunately this section is quite deficient. Strategies for control of human parasites are presented from zoonotic and hygienic aspects. The book is an excellent reference for the study of parasites and parasitic diseases in general and particularly human infections. It should be a ready reference in all biological, medical and veterinary libraries. The price may limit its presence in individual scientists' book collections. S.M. GAAFAR
School of Veterinary Medicine Purdue University Lafayette, Indiana, IN 47907 U.S.A.
TROPICAL VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
Manual of Tropical VeterinaryParasitology. Translated by M. Shah-Fischer and R. Say. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K., 1989,473 pp., softcover, ISBN: 2-11-084452-2. It is rather irritating to have one's interest stimulated by the title of a book and then to find that it does not, in fact, reflect its contents. Such is the case with this book whose all-embracing title suggests that finally someone has gathered together all the available knowledge on the vast field of tropical veterinary parasitology. In fact not only is this book devoted exclusively to Africa but also it is not a new book but a very worthy translation of one which was originally published in French in 1981. The Manual of Tropical VeterinaryParasitologyis published by CAB International and is a translation of the tenth in a series compiled by the Institut d'Elevage et de Medecine Veterinaire des Pays Chaud (IEMVT) and published by the French Ministry of Cooperation and Development. It consists of three parts, one on helminths in tropical Africa by Dr. P.M. Troncy, one on animal trypanosomes by Dr. J. Itard, and one on tick-borne diseases of livestock in Africa by Dr. P. Morel. Since the three parts of the manual do not conform to a common editorial style, they will be considered separately. Dr. Troncy's part of the manual consists of nine chapters, of which the first six are devoted to the helminths of ruminants and pigs considered in relation to their site of occurrence in their