Abstract

With an ever-increasing literature that deals with the contribution of the immune system to the host-parasite relationship, an overall understanding of immunoparasitology is often difficult to obtain. “The Immunology of Parasitic Infections. A Handbook for Physicians, Veterinarians, and Biologists” is intended to meet this need. The text serves as an introduction to the field of parasite immunology and is clearly not intended to provide a definitive review of the literature that relates to the immunology of specific parasitic infections. Selected references relating to a variety immunological aspects of parasitic diseases are provided which will permit the reader to initiate a meaningful literature search if necessary.

The book begins with an appropriate overview of the basic concepts of immunology followed by a comprehensive discussion of immunodiagnostic procedures for parasites. The concluding chapters deal with basic immunology as it relates to parasites in general. One chapter considers mechanisms by which parasites seek to evade the immune response of the host and another reviews methods of immunoprophylaxis.