Diagnostic Medical Parasitology, 5th Edition Doody's Expert Review Review Questionnaire ISBN: 9781555813802 ISBN-10: 1555813801 Copyright: 2007 Edition: 5th Author: Garcia, Lynne Shore Doody's Expert Review    Score: 94 Doody's Star Rating™ and Doody's Expert Review provide by Doody Enterprises, Inc. Reviewer: Rebecca Horvat,  PhD, D(ABMM)  (University of Kansas Medical Center) Description The past four editions of this book have long been known as the standard reference for the clinical laboratory diagnosis of parasitology. This fifth edition continues that tradition with excellent updated information for clinical laboratories. Purpose According to the author, the purpose of this latest edition is to provide a "clear, concise, well organized, clinically relevant, cost effective, and practical quality procedures for use in the clinical laboratory setting." This book has definitely accomplished that goal. Audience It is written by the world's foremost authority on diagnostic parasitology. Lynne Garcia's books have been used for at least 20 years as the authority in this area. I have no reservation in recommending this newest edition to all laboratory personnel involved in testing patient specimens for parasitology pathogens. This would include individuals in public health and in clinical laboratories. This is also a very good textbook for teaching both medical technologists and residents in pathology. Features This is a huge collection of detailed information on human parasites. The first part is organized in a traditional fashion by types of infections. It also includes information on nosocomial and laboratory-acquired infections. An interesting chapter is on the immune response that humans usually produce in response to parasite infections. Each chapter has a boxed area that gives a quick review of key points regarding the laboratory identification methods that are most appropriate. The second part of the book contains details on diagnostic procedures and has a chapter that presents 15 cases on parasitic infections and the procedures used to detect the parasite. A very large appendix, that would be valuable as a separate book, includes color plates of human parasites, worksheets and documents for regulatory compliance, problems that are common in the identification of parasites in human specimens, and, finally, something I have not seen before -- "late-breaking" published information that includes an abstract for each article. Assessment This is a key contribution to the laboratory diagnosis of parasites. It should be required for all diagnostic laboratories even if they do not perform parasite exams. This would enable them to make recommendations on the collection of appropriate specimens. There have been many changes in the last few years regarding the detection of parasites using new technology to new regulatory requirements as well as the discovery of parasitic diseases that were unrecognized previously. This new edition will be a very useful and valuable resource. Review Questionnaire Range Question Score 1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10 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) 4 1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4 1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5 1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5 1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 5 1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 4 1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5 1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 5 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? 10 1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 10 ©2010 Doody Enterprises, Inc.