Medical Immunology, 10th Edition Doody's Expert Review Review Questionnaire ISBN: 9780838563007 ISBN-10: 0838563007 Copyright: 2001 Edition: 10th Editors: Parslow, Tristram G., Stites, Daniel P., Terr, Abba I., Imboden, John B., Doody's Expert Review    Score: 86 Doody's Star Rating™ and Doody's Expert Review provide by Doody Enterprises, Inc. Reviewer: Marion Cohen,  PhD  (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-NJMS) Description This is the tenth edition of an immunology book that may be considered both a compact textbook and a quick information source. It is divided into four major sections with chapters in each section written by experts in the area being discussed. The book has been available for the past 25 years and the pattern has been to update it at frequent intervals. Purpose The book combines an overview of basic immunology with information on human immune disorders and their treatment so that it is possible to remain up-to-date in the field. The emphasis is on human immunology, but examples from animal models are used when appropriate. This book provides a lot of information in a clear style. A book that has been around for 25 years must be one that fulfills an important need for scientists and practitioners. Audience The book is written for both students and practitioners. It seems to be written for physicians who need information on clinical immunology but who are not necessarily working in that field. There are students who can use it as a primary textbook, although a previous background in immunology might be helpful. The editors are well known immunologists and the authors of the individual chapters are experts on the topics about which they are writing. The information is presented in concise manner and to the point. Features The book is divided into four sections: basic immunology, immunologic laboratory tests, clinical immunology, and immunologic therapy. Each section is further divided into chapters. The chapters cover a wide range of subjects although not always in depth. Nonetheless, the information provided is a start towards learning basic information. Of particular interest is the section on clinical immunology. Although several books devoted to this topic have been published in the past few years, this one includes subjects not always found in other books. For example, there is a chapter on reproduction and the immune system and part of another chapter on immunological aspects of dental diseases. The section on immunotherapy is somewhat larger than what is usually found in an immunology textbook. Each chapter has a list of references. Some of these could be more up-to-date. Unlike many of the newer books, the figures are not multicolored; they are simple line drawings yet they convey the necessary information. The photomicrographs are in black and white and this makes some of them less helpful than they might otherwise be. Assessment This is a book that is packed with useful information on important aspects of immunology as it relates both to basic science and human disease. Although it is short on some details, it is more than just mere definitions. It provides what is generally accepted by the scientists and clinicians currently working in this area. It is as up-to-date as the time required for the revision and printing process allows. There are sufficient changes from the previous edition that make this new edition worthwhile, including new information on basic immunology, revision of the material on methodology including new molecular diagnostic assays, revision of many of the chapters on clinical immunology as well as the inclusion of additional immunological diseases in this section, and an expanded section on treatment options. The book could easily be used as a textbook for a course with an emphasis on clinical immunology. Review Questionnaire Range Question Score 1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 8 1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10 1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5 1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5 1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5 1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5 1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 3 1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 3 1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 3 1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5 1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 4 1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 4 1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 4 1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A 1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 8 1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 10 ©2010 Doody Enterprises, Inc.