Immunology Of Rheumatic Diseases

Recent developments in basic science and clinical rheumatology make it appropriate at this time to create a volume devoted to the immunology of rheumatic diseases. The impact of molecular biology, gene cloning, and new technologies for establishing hybridomas and T-cell lines in the laboratory is now beginning to be felt in clinical medicine. There is a general air of excitement and a feeling that we stand on the threshold of a new era in molecular medicine and clinical science. It is this excitement that we have tried to capture in this book. This volume is divided into five sections entitled Basic Mechanisms, Autoimmunity, Classical Concepts of Rheumatic Diseases, Pathogenetic Mechanisms, and Therapy. This is not an arbitrary arrangement but represents our belief that from an understanding of basic mechanisms of disease pathogenesis will come new and more successful forms of treatment for the sufferers of rheumatic disorders. We have tried in the selection of authors to choose internationally recognized experts who have both a scientific and a clinical orientation to their subjects. We believe the marriage of clinical and basic disciplines represents the best hope for rapid knowledge transfer from the laboratory to the clinic, where such knowledge can be used to improve patient health.

A wide-ranging account of the immunological mechanisms that underlie many rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and SLE, and the development of effective and rational new therapies.

Immunology and Rheumatology in Questions, 2nd Edition addresses through short and concise questions-and-answers (Q&As) on one hand all major aspects of basic clinical and laboratory immunology necessary for understanding underlying immunological mechanisms of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The majority however of Q&As in this book presents in a laconic way definitions, pathogenetic aspects, clinical and laboratory manifestations, differential diagnosis and the management of all categories of rheumatic diseases including systemic autoimmune, autoinflammatory, metabolic and degenerative. Furthermore, in separate sections of this manual Q&As addressing rheumatic manifestations from other organ systems are included. Finally, a chapter is devoted to treatment of rheumatic diseases analyzing indications and side-effects of different therapeutic modalities with illustrations and diagrams utilized throughout the book to present the information in a clear and schematic way. In this fully revised second edition, more than 120 new Q&As have been added and the answers to more than 90 Q&As has been modified after having critically incorporated all new knowledge generated in the past three years in the field of rheumatology, in an effort to bridge classical and current evidence-based knowledge and to present didactic and credible information. This book is valuable to test and acquire knowledge not only for rheumatologists but for every specialist in internal medicine, family practice, physical/rehabilitation medicine and orthopedic surgery.

This is an exciting era in medicine and in science. Successive waves of advance in knowledge gather, break and recede uncovering fresh challenges and new opportunities. Each plays its part in eroding the tidemark of yesterday's ignorance. Many involved in the day-to-day management of patients, ill prepared and ill-equipped by the training which they received as under graduate students, find it difficult to retain contact with the advances in medical science and feel uncomfortable on the shifting sands of uncertainty upon which we now stand. Which of the new ideas is sound ? Upon which data may we rely? How may we distinguish the real from the unreal, the true from the false, recent advances from recent retreats? These are the anxieties, often either unstated or alternatively expressed in terms of an attitude of total opposition to 'all of this research rubbish' which are widespread in medical circles today. It is for these individuals who are not themselves directly involved in the immunology of rheumatic diseases but who, nevertheless, recognize the importance of this subject to their patients and, in particular, to tomorrow's patients, that this book has been written. There are two points that I believe to be of central concern. Firstly, I think it important to recognize that the intellectual basis of most of the research work being generated today is actually extremely simple.

Immunologie / Rahumatismus.

The proceedings of the fourth Canadian conference on research in the rheumatic diseases held in Toronto in October 1970, this volume includes some 50 papers based on recent research carried out in Canada, the US, and abroad. The papers centre on two main themes: immunological aspects of the rheumatic diseases, and animal and experimental model diseases which have certain features in common with human rheumatic disorders.

Challenging Cases in Rheumatology and Diseases of the Immune System is the latest title in a growing collection of thought-provoking case-based titles from Massoud Mahmoudi, D.O., Ph.D. Like his three preceding titles, Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology (2009), Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin (2010), and Challenging Cases in Pulmonology (2011), this easy-to-read title presents the topic in a challenging and enjoyable case-based format. Developed by 30 distinguished contributors, the book consists of six parts and 16 chapters, with each chapter presenting two cases. The style of this title follows the previous books: each topic begins with an abstract, followed by a case presentation, working diagnosis, data, final diagnosis, and discussion. In addition, to enhance a review of the subject and stimulate critical thinking, there are 5 to 10 multiple choice questions and answers in each chapter. Challenging Cases in Rheumatology and Diseases of the Immune System is an indispensable resource for all clinicians who care for patients with rheumatic and immunologic disorders.