Immunology

Immunology: A Concise Review offers the essential and basic ideas of immunology as a quick reference for students, practitioners, and veterinary technicians. Although concise, the book is comprehensive and a knowledge of its contents will assure the reader a relatively thorough understanding of what is frequently a difficult subject.

The book covers all of the basics of immunology, including chapters on: the origin and function of hemopoietic and lymphopoietic cells; non-specific immunity; antigens; complement; cell receptors and cytokines associated with the immune response; specific immune responses; responses to bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, and tumors. More advanced topics include: an examination of all four hypersensitivity reactions; autoimmunity; immune deficiency diseases; organ transplant and rejection; vaccination and immunization; and immunodiagnostic techniques.

Additionally, the book offers end of chapter glossaries and a cumulative glossary as well as explanatory black and white illustrations.

Preface; Abbreviations and Greek Letters; Introducing immunology; The hemopoietic and lymphopoietic cells; natural immunity and resistance; The nature of antigens and immunogens; The complement system; T cell receptors, major histocompatibility complex and cytokines; The humoral immune response; The cell-mediated immune response; The immune system in action; Hypersensitivity reactions, allergy and anaphylaxis; Hypersensitivity reactions, cytotoxic/cytolytic, immune complex and delayed type; Autoimmunity; Immune deficiency diseases; immune deficiency diseases; Transplant/graft rejection; vaccination/immunisation; Immunodiagnostic techniques; Cumulative Glossary; Index

Dr. Darla J. Wise, M.S. Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Concord College in Athens, WV, and is the Associate Editor of Proceedings of the West Virginia Academy of Science. Dr. Wise’s research interest lies in the area of host-pathogen relationships. She has authored articles in the areas of immune responses, characterization of enzymes associated with host-pathogen relationships, and DNA-based methods of disease diagnosis.

Gordon R. Carter, D.V.M., M.S., D.V.Sc., is a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg. Professor Carter has published many scientific papers and is the senior author f more that a dozen textbooks.

This concise supplementary text offers the essential ideas of immunology as a quick reference for students, practitioners, and veterinary technicians. The organization follows a natural progression, beginning with basic concepts and proceeding to what immunity does to protect the body and what happens when things go wrong. Useful features include:

• 
  
• Up-to-date information covering all aspects of immunology
• 
  
• A thorough discussion of immunodiagnostic techniques and AIDS
• 
  
• Numerous figures and tables illustrating principles and summarizing data
• 
  
• End-of-chapter glossaries, as well as a cumulative glossary
• 
  
• A comprehensive list of milestones in immunology

Immunology: A Comprehensive Review will help readers grasp this difficult and important subject.