Parasitic Infections and the Immune System / Edition 1

by Felipe Kierzenbaum

Overview

Featuring the work of several world authorities, this volume places primary emphasis on the mechanism of parasite produced changes in the immune response (i.e. immunosuppression). The text covers parasitic diseases on which the World Health Organization has aggressively promoted research through its Program on Research and Training In Tropical Diseases. Chapters cover parasitic diseases such as malaria, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and onchocerciasis. Also included are discussions of toxoplasmosis and amebiasis. The material is drawn from the body of literature that has been rapidly accumulating for the last 15 years. An important feature of this text is that the contributors first outline existing knowledge about the immunology of each infection, thereby enabling the reader to more easily appreciate why and how the immunological alterations that accompany a disease are important, and then, to review the postulated mechanisms for such alterations. Consequently, the impact that each parasitic infection has on the immune system is always described in the "heart" of each chapter rather than at the beginning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780124065758
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	12/16/1993
Pages:	254
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Contributors.
Preface.
African Trypanosomiases, M. Sileghem, J.N. Flynn, A. Darji, P. De Baetselier, and J. Naessens.
Chagas' Disease (American Trypanosomiasis), F. Kierszenbaum and M.B. Sztein.
Leishmaniasis, D.A. Leiby, N. Kanesa-thasan, P. Scott, and C.A. Nacy.
Malaria, E.M. Riley, L. Hviid, and T.G. Theander.
Amebiasis, L. Ortiz-Ortiz.
Toxoplasmosis, F. Darcy and F. Santoro.
Schistosomiasis, E.J. Pearce and A.J.G. Simpson.
Onchocerciasis and Lymphotic Filariasis, J.F. Williams, C.D. Mackenzie, and M. ElKhalifa.
Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviews the literature that has accumulated over the past decade on the impact of parasitic infections on the immune system, particularly how pathogenic parasites have learned to subvert the immune system to their advantage, and often forced a compromise in which both the parasite and the host survive in weakened states. Eight specific infections are covered, among them malaria, American and African trypanosomiasis, amebiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Addressed to scientists rather than clinicians. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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