Immunology And Infectious Disease

Publisher Description

An integrated view of the principal aspects of immune response to all types of infectious agents, emphasizing the immune system as a host defense system. * Illustrates how the dialogue between different types of pathogens and the host immune system, as well as the cross-talk between the different members of the immune response, works. * Serves as valuable reading for microbiologists interested in pathogenesis and immunology; clinicians with an interest in immunology, virology, vaccine development, infectious diseases, bacteriology, parasitology, pathology, and cell biology; and immunologists wanting to expand their knowledge of infectious diseases and their causative agents.

This concise text explores the interactions between pathogens and the immune system. Taking a disease-based approach, it explains how micro-organisms adapted to growth in human hosts can evade the immune system and cause disease. The opening chapter overviews the innate and adaptive immune responses to microbes. Subsequent chapters are specific to particular pathogens, beginning with their biology and leading on to illustrate mechanisms of adaptation and ensuing consequences. Each of these chapters ends with a summary, review questions and further reading lists. Summaries, review questions and further reading make this book suitable for self-directed study. Infection and Immunity is ideal for any undergraduates taking a course that explores the interaction between pathogens and the human immune system.

In the first place may I say how grateful I and others are to those who have contributed chapters for this book; all of them are well known for their research on the subject on which they have written and each has indicated the background to his own specialist field by providing an extensive bibliography giving this book a total reference list of over 2,500. Although there have been enormous advances in immunology over recent years, much of the new knowledge in relation to infectious diseases was scattered over the world's literature and is now brought together in a single volume. Furthermore, while a number of previously unknown infectious diseases have recently been discovered (e.g. Marburg and Lassa virus infections and Legionnaires' disease) to which many new techniques have been applied, there seemed to be no clear statement of the rationale for their use, or for their further exploitation in some of the more common infectious diseases which are discussed in this book.

This exciting new reference brings you information about the most controversial hematology, immunology, and infectious disease challenges you face in your practice. The book confidently tackles these subjects and gives seasoned advice on the latest diagnostic and treatment strategies using evidence-based medicine wherever possible. It gives you the latest information you need to keep pace with the fast-paced, dynamic environment of neonatology. Addresses controversial topics head on, so you can decide how to handle these difficult practice issues. Serves as the bridge between the latest cutting-edge research and its application to clinical practice. Assembles a world-class group of neonatologists, representing the true leaders of the specialty, to ensure the most authoritative content available.

From HIV to influenza, the battle between infectious agents and the immune system is at the heart of disease. Knowledge of how and why parasites vary to escape recognition by the immune system is central to vaccine design, the control of epidemics, and our fundamental understanding of parasite ecology and evolution. As the first comprehensive synthesis of parasite variation at the molecular, population, and evolutionary levels, this book is essential reading for students and researchers throughout biology and biomedicine. The author uses an evolutionary perspective to meld the terms and findings of molecular biology, immunology, pathogen biology, and population dynamics. This multidisciplinary approach offers newcomers a readable introduction while giving specialists an invaluable guide to allied subjects. Every aspect of the immune response is presented in the functional context of parasite recognition and defense--an emphasis that gives structure to a tremendous amount of data and brings into sharp focus the great complexity of immunology. The problems that end each chapter set the challenge for future research, and the text includes extensive discussion of HIV, influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and many other pathogens. This is the only book that treats in an integrated way all factors affecting variation in infectious disease. It is a superb teaching tool and a rich source of ideas for new and experienced researchers. For molecular biologists, immunologists, and evolutionary biologists, this book provides new insight into infectious agents, immunity, and the evolution of infectious disease.

Case Studies in Infectious Disease presents forty case studies featuring the most important human infectious diseases worldwide. Written for students of microbiology and medicine this book describes the natural history of infection from point of entry of the pathogen through pathogenesis, followed by clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Five core sets of questions are posed in each case. What is the nature of the infectious agent, how does it gain access to the body, what cells are infected, and how does the organism spread? What are the host defense mechanisms against the agent and how is the disease caused? What are the typical manifestations of the infection and the complications that can occur? How is the infection diagnosed and what is the differential diagnosis? How is the infection managed, and what preventative measures can be taken to avoid infection? This standardized approach provides the reader with a logical basis for understanding these diverse and medically important organisms, fully integrating microbiology and immunology throughout.

Humans coexist with millions of harmless microorganisms, but emerging diseases, resistance to antibiotics, and the threat of bioterrorism are forcing scientists to look for new ways to confront the microbes that do pose a danger. This report identifies innovative approaches to the development of antimicrobial drugs and vaccines based on a greater understanding of how the human immune system interacts with both good and bad microbes. The report concludes that the development of a single superdrug to fight all infectious agents is unrealistic.