Our immune system is a complex network of cells continually battling against a barrage of attacks from our environment, quite literally to save our lives. But what protects us from the potentially life-threatening microorganisms that surround us every day?
In the lucid, accessible style for which John Playfair is renowned, and together with Greg Bancroft, an expert in infectious diseases, Infection and Immunity explains how our immune system defends us. The authors describe the main causes of infection that our bodies have to battle against - from bacteria to viruses, fungi to protozoa - and explains the intricate and fascinating ways in which we respond, from detection of potentially dangerous organisms to their ultimate elimination - sometimes, unfortunately, suffering new pathological symptoms in the process.
Presenting a fully-rounded, well-balanced overview of the field, the book also explains how diseases spread, and what measures we can take to control this spread - from vaccination to increasing awareness through public health initiatives.
With examples of infectious diseases from across the world, Infection and Immunity is the ideal text for biomedical science, bioscience, and microbiology students who need to understand the basics of what causes infection, and how our immune systems respond.
Online Resource CentreThe Online Resource Centre to acompany the book features:
For students:· Multiple choice questions to check your understanding as you progress through the textFor registered adopters of the book:· Figures from the book, ready to download
By:
John Playfair ,
Gregory Bancroft
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 4th Revised edition
Dimensions:
Height: 246mm,
Width: 190mm,
Spine: 17mm
Weight: 806g
ISBN: 9780199609505
ISBN 10: 0199609500
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 24 January 2013
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
The infectious organisms 1: Introduction: parasites, pathogens, and immunity 2: Viruses 3: Bacteria 4: Fungi 5: Protozoa 6: Helminths (worms) 7: Ectoparasites 8: Prions 9: Disease: virulence and susceptibility The immune system 10: Defence, immunity, the immune system 11: External defences: entry and exit 12: Innate immunity 13: How pathogens escape innate immunity 14: Disease due to innate immunity 15: Immunodeficiency I: primary defects of innate immunity 16: Adaptive immunity: introduction 17: B cells and antibody 18: T cells and the MHC 19: The antibody response 20: Cell-mediated responses 21: Regulation of immune responses and memory 22: How pathogens escape adaptive immunity 23: Disesase due to adaptive immunity I: hypersenstivity 24: Disease due to adaptive immunity II: autoimmunity 25: Immunodeficiency II: primary defects of adaptive immunity 26: Immunodeficiency III: secondary immunodeficiency and AIDS The host-pathogen balance 27: Epidemiology 28: Control of infectious disease: vaccination 29: Control of infectious disease: chemotherapy 30: Control of infectious disease: public health measures 31: Viral and prion disease and immunity 32: Bacterial disease and immunity 33: Fungal disease and immunity 34: Protozoal disease and immunity 35: Helminth disease and immunity 36: Ectoparasites and immunity 37: Emerging and future infectious diseases
Reviews for Infection & Immunity
`Review from previous edition The text presented is of a very high quality, presented by authors who are passionate about the subject and how it is portrayed to their students in a manner that will inspire! ' Dr Andrew Foey, School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth `I think the book is quite unique in its breadth and integrated topic.' Dr John Greenman, Biological Sciences, The University of Hull `As the field of immunology becomes more and more specialized, here is a textbook that offers a fresh overlook of host-pathogen interactions for the student. The general yet thorough text is directed at students with minimal college biology background and would be appropriate for freshmen and sophomore students. ' Professor Gary Splitter, Department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison `Few books are available that are suitable for a course that integrates microbiology and immunology, but this one succeeds in explaining the immune system and its role in host defense very well. Immunology is a rapidly advancing discipline and this third edition is a welcome update.' Doodys reviews
