LIVROS BOOK REVIEWS

BARRIGA, OMAR O. — The Immunology of Parasitic Infections. A Handbook for Physicians, Veterinarians, and Biologists. Baltimore, University Park Press, 1981. 368p. ilus. ISBN 0-8391-1621-7

This is an eminently practical volume that examines for physicians, veterinarians, and biologists the crucial role of host immunology in the continuing fight against human and animal parasites.

The Immunology of Parasitic Infections presents the latest basic concepts of parasitology and immunology for those professionals and students who lack appropriate training in the respective disciplines. Stressing concepts rather than details and emphasizing the practical significance and applications of experimental findings, it fills the crucial gaps in what specialists in those field need to know about each other's work. In clear, readable language that demands no prior knowledge of specialized terminology, Dr. Barriga describes how host immunity influences the course of parasitic infection as well as how this knowledge can be used to further diagnosis and control.

The Immunology of Parasitic Infections scrutinizes all major agents of parasitic disease found in man and domestic animals in the Americas. Following a review of basic immunological concepts and an examination of the inducers of immunity and tests for verification, Dr. Barriga explores the immune reaction to parasitic protozoa, nematodes, platyhelminths and arthropods. There are also chapters on the evasion of the immune response by parasites and the principles of immunoprophylaxis in parasitic infections. Finally, as an aid to further study, each chapter concludes with a selected bibliography of modern reviews.

JORDAN, PETER & WEBBE, GERALD — Schistosomiasis. Epidemiology, Treatment and Control. London, William Heinemann Medical Books, 1982. 361p. ilus. ISBN 0-433-17581-8

The successor to Human Schistosomiasis by the same authors, this important book has been completely rewritten to take account of major advances in the study of schistosomiasis over the last decade. Emphasis is now on disease prevention, and a number of internationally recognised experts have contributed chapiters on diagnosis, immunology, epidemiology, chemotherapy and control, bringing the reader up to date in fields where knowledge is rapidly advancing. The introductory chapters on the parasite and intermediate hosts provide detailed information for students of parasitology; clinicians will value the full account of the diagnosis and modern management of schistosomiasis; and for the field worker, control techniques are discussed in practical detail. With illustrations and examples derived from three continentes, and an extensive bibliography, this is an outstanding theoretical and practical account of human schistosomiasis.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  12 Apr 2013
• Date of issue
  Feb 1984