From the Publisher:             

     With a focus on the relatedness of immunology and microbiology, Immunology, Infection, and Immunity covers both the foundation concepts of immunology, among the most exciting in modern biology and medicine, and their application to the real world of diseases and health.  Ideally suited for upper division and graduate level biology students as well as medical and dental students with a good background in basic biology, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology, this book will also appeal to scientists seeking to expand their knowledge of immunology.

     This new text combines clear narratives of how the immune system functions relying in many instances on supporting data from experiments.  The editors use examples and illustrations depicting basic immunologic processes in conjunction with their role in infectious or other diseases in order to teach both basic and applied aspects of immunology.  A chapter on antibody-antigen interactions and measurements of immunologic reactions familiarizes students with the tools of experimental immunology.

     In addition to an emphasis on infectious diseases, the book focuses strongly on those areas where the immune system does not act when it should - primary and acquired immunodeficiency, and the failure to control cancer - as well as areas where the over-activity or dysregulation of the immune system is a cause of pathology - hypersensitivity reactions, including allergy and asthma, autoimmunity and the unwanted immune responses to transplanted tissues and organs.

      To bring the full flavor and excitement of immunology to new students, the editors have assembled an outstanding group of contributors with expertise in the multiple areas of immunology who provide the most up-to-date information in this quickly moving field.  All of the chapters have standardized thematic and structural aspects to provide critical information in a comprehensible style.

     This textbook complements traditional views and dogmas about immunology with today's cutting edge ideas and experimental date describing how the immune system works, some of which are challenging and changing some long-held beliefs about the function of the immune system.

Key Features

• Examines the basic molecular and cellular components of the immune system relative to the pathogenesis and prevention of infectious diseases
• Concentrates on the way in which the immune system is critical to the pathogenesis and prevention of infectious diseases.
• Focuses on primary and acquired immunodeficiency and immune system dysregulation as causes of pathology
• Contributions from multiple areas of immunology present current information in a rapidly moving field
• All chapters have standardized thematic and structural aspects to provide critical information in a comprehensible style
• Examples and illustrations depict basic immunologic processes in conjunction with their role in infectious or other diseases

Table of Contents:

Section I.  Function and Composition of the Immune System

Chapter 1.     Overview of Immunity

Chapter 2.     Innate Immunity

Chapter 3.     Cells of the Immune System

Chapter 4.     Organs and Tissues of the Immune System

Chapter 5.     Complement

Section II.  Antibodies

Chapter 6.     Antibodies

Chapter 7.     Molecular Genetics of Antibody Diversity

Chapter 8.     Antigens, Antigenicity, and Immunogenicity,

Chapter 9.    Antibody-Antigen Interactions and Measurements of Immunologic Reactions

Chapter 10.   B-Lymphocyte Activation and Antibody Production

Section III.  Cellular Immunity

Chapter 11.   The Major Histocompatability Complex

Chapter 12.   Antigen Processing and Presentation

Chapter 13.   The T-Cell Receptor

Chapter 14.   T-Cell Maturation and Activation

Chapter 15.   Cellular Communication

Section IV.  Immunologic Effector Systems and Immunity to Infection

Chapter 16.   Cell-Mediated Immunity

Chapter 17.   Mucosal Immunity

Chapter 18.   Immunity to Bacterial Infections

Chapter 19.   Immunity to Viruses

Chapter 20.   Immunity to Parasitic and Fungal Infections

Chapter 21.   Vaccines and Vaccination

Section V.  Immune System Dysfunction:  Deficiencies

Chapter 22.   Immunology and AIDS

Chapter 23.   Clinical and Genetic Perspectives in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders

Chapter 24.   Cancer and the Immune System

Section VI.  Immune System Dysfunction:  Overactivity

Chapter 25.   Hypersensitivity

Chapter 26.   Autoimmunity and Disease

Chapter 27.   Transplantation Immunology

Appendix A.  CD Antigens
Appendix B.  Antigen Names with CD Designation Equivalents
Appendix C.  Cytokines, Chemokines, and Their Receptors
Appendix D.  Cell Types and Immune-Related Functions
Appendix E.  Historical Timeline of Immunology
Appendix F.  Time Course of a Typical Immune Reaction
Appendix G.  Comparison of Relative Sizes of Cells, Structures, and Molecules That Are Relevant to Infections and Immunity

INDEX