This textbook provides a unique support in gaining essential knowledge on the immune response, its diagnosis and its modification by drugs and chemicals. The first section of the book, covering a basic introduction to immunology and its relevance for human disease, has been updated to accommodate new immunological concepts. The second section on immunodiagnostics has been further expanded to describe widely used molecular techniques and is followed by a systematic coverage of drugs affecting the immune system, revised to cover recent developments. The book concludes with a chapter on immunotoxicology.
This second edition continues the unique format dealing with four related topics in a single volume, obviating the need to refer to several different textbooks. New aids to the reader include a two-column format, glossaries of technical terms and appendix reference tables. The emphasis on illustrations is maintained from the first edition.
Doody Review Services
**Reviewer:**Thomas L. Pazdernik, PhD(University of Kansas Medical Center)
**Description:**This second edition extends and updates the 1999 edition but continues the focus of the earlier one on providing a discussion of background information on the immune response, a review of important immunodiagnostic tools, a discussion of major pharmacological agents used to modify the immune response, and an introduction to immunotoxicology all in a single source.
**Purpose:**The goal is to provide a standalone text on immunological principles, immunopharmacology, and immunotoxicology for physicians, researchers, and students with a rudimentary knowledge of immunology. The editors have done an admirable job of selecting superb contributors who have written a very readable and worthwhile text.
**Audience:**This book is of great value for students, educators, researchers or practitioners with an interest in immunology, immunopharmacology, or immunotoxicology. It is well done.
**Features:**Its four major sections cover mechanisms of immunity, immunodiagnostics, immunotherapeutics, and immunotoxicology. It also contains an excellent list of abbreviations, a must in any book related to immunology, and an appendix with important information on selected examples of vaccines registered in the U.S., marketed anti-allergic products, licensed cytokines, examples of marked drugs, commercially available plant and dietary immunomodulators, class I non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors, chemical structures of NSAIDs, high yield information on NSAIDs, overview of DMARDs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and guidance on immunotoxicity. However, the numbering of the appendixes is confusing. The book also contains an excellent glossary.
**Assessment:**The revolution of genomic and proteomic research has had a marked impact on the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of immunological disorders. Thus, this second revised and extended edition was much needed and a must have book for all working in the field.