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This volume is the third edition of a well known and successful reference work. Arranged by organism, the book surveys and evaluates new and existing knowledge in the field of parasitic immunology and molecular biology. This new edition has been revised and expanded, and new material on the relevance of molecular biology in diagnosis and vaccine development has been included. ... Read more

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This book provides a comprehensive reference and diagnostic aid to the practicing pathologist or infectious disease specialist encountering a parasite in an examined tissue sample. Organized by phylogenetic group, the text facilitates diagnosis by discussing common characteristics and patterns of different parasites, and misleading artifacts that resemble parasites in tissue. This second edition includes molecular biology and immunologic aspects, and a more in-depth discussion of syndromes more prevalent due to increased world travel, immigration and the AIDS epidemic. ... Read more

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The topics of parasitism, parasite-induced pathology and relevant host response are interrelated, yet their interdependence is rarely appreciated. This collection of studies, illustrated by landmark experiments, emphasize this fundamental aspect of ... Read more

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Mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were first identified in 1997 based on their homology with Drosophila Toll, which mediates innate immunity in the fly. In recent years, the number of studies describing TLR expression and function in the nervous system has been increasing steadily and expanding beyond their traditional roles in infectious diseases to neurodegenerative disorders and injury. Interest in the field serves as the impetus for this volume in the Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology series entitled "Toll-like receptors: Roles in Infection and Neuropathology". The first five chapters highlight more traditional roles for TLRs in infectious diseases of the CNS. The second half of the volume discusses recently emerging roles for TLRs in non-infectious neurodegenerative diseases and the challenges faced in these models with identifying endogenous ligands. Several conceptual theories are introduced in various chapters that deal with the dual nature of TLR engagement and whether these signals favor neuroprotective versus neurodegenerative outcomes. This volume should be informative for both experts as well as newcomers to the field of TLRs in the nervous system based on its coverage of basic TLR biology as well as specialization to discuss specific diseases of the nervous system where TLR function has been implicated. A must read for researchers interested in the dual role of these receptors in neuroinfection and neurodegeneration. ... Read more

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This volume deals with various aspects of the intricate relation of bacterial and parasitic pathogens with the immune system. It provides new insights into how the immune system succeeds to eradicate its predators and how it can fail. Chapters in this book summarize novel information about the role of helper T-cell subsets and cytolytic T cells in antimicrobial immunity and the possible relation between anti-infectious and autoimmune responses, and discuss the most recent approaches to the definition of T-cell epitopes and to the construction of recombinant carriers. Both experimental systems and theoretical considerations related to these topics are covered. ... Read more

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Surgical Pathology of the Gastrointestinal System: Bacterial, Fungal, Viral, and Parasitic Infections provides a unique diagnostic reference text for the pathologic diagnosis of infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Written for the practicing surgical pathologist, this text combines the superior illustrations of an atlas with carefully written prose to create a useful diagnostic companion. The text is divided into four sections covering bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract. The descriptive sections of each chapter are organized into short paragraphs for easy reference and include the use of tables to compare and contrast organisms and summarize differential diagnoses. Each chapter is extensively illustrated, and contains prose discussions of diagnostic features, differential diagnoses, brief clinical descriptions, and ancillary tests that help confirm the diagnosis (i.e. immunohistochemistry, special histochemical stains, and molecular diagnostic techniques).

Surgical Pathology of the Gastrointestinal System: Bacterial, Fungal, Viral, and Parasitic Infections provides pertinent clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiologic information that will be valuable to the practicing surgical pathologist. This volume will also help surgical pathologists gain familiarity with other contributory laboratory tests that are available to help confirm diagnosis.

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According to conventional wisdom, our genes and lifestyles are the most important causes of cancer, heart disease, and other killer ailments today. Conventional wisdom is wrong. In this bold, visionary book, biologist Paul W. Ewald argues that these serious illnesses are caused by a virtual plague of chronic infections. Acute infections give the sufferer symptoms almost immediately; the flu, cholera, even Ebola are all well-known and easy-to-identify examples of acute illnesses. Chronic infections, however, are stealthy predators that may not produce any symptoms for decades, and so remain almost undetectable, but eventually they ruin the sufferer's life. The netherworld of stealth infections is now opening before us.In Plague Time, Ewald puts forth an astonishing and profound argument that challenges our modern beliefs about disease: it is germs -- not genes -- that mold our lives and cause our deaths. Building on the recently recognized infectious origins of ulcers, miscarriages, and cancers, he draws together a startling collection of discoveries that now implicate infection in the most destructive chronic diseases of our time, such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia. Acclaimed for years as one of the most important thinkers alive today on the genesis of disease, Ewald now explodes conventional medical thinking with a new comprehensive view of what germs do. Some people worry about dangerous germs "going global." In most cases it is already too late. The most dangerous germs among us have already been disseminated globally. Ewald explains how evolution in this worldwide environment makes some germs turn nasty while some become harmless. Most importantly, he shows how we can work together to master our modern infectious plagues by controlling disease evolution. He reveals that we live in an ecosystem of microbes, and we must understand them to avoid their deadly damage. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Persuasive eye opener
Professor Ewald lays out a very interesting and persuasive case for the potential involvement of infectious agents as the cause of many "non-infectious" diseases. This book offered a fascinating account into the history of disease and makes plausible predictions about future discoveries. I read this book several months ago and have since been keen to periodic news reports concerning recent discoveries linking infection as a possible cause for various chronic aliments. I believe Professor Ewald may be ahead of his time.

I'm not a medical professional, just an interested layman. Mr. Ewald's book is an easy read for a non-professional. If you're interested in the topic this book will not disappoint.

Nice book.For the real science see the book on microcompetition
Ewald's idea is great, and the general public should definitely read his book and think about its basic premise.However, as an answer to the review by Douglas Turnbull, for the real science and the proof that an infection with a latent virus is indeed the cause of many chronic diseases, see Dr. Polansky's book on microcompetition.In his book, Dr. Polansky explains how foreign DNA modifies the production of cellular proteins, and how these changes translate into clinical symptoms.However, readers beware.Dr. Polansky's book is heavy reading, and is targeted towards the professional scientist, not the recreational reader (a simple explanation of the microcompetition discovery is available at www.causeofcancer.org)

Being at the point of the spear is not easy...
If you categorize your self as an early adopter, I think you will appreciate the words written by Paul W. Ewald concerning the strong possibility of infectious agents (germs) causing the medical conditions of heart disease, cancers, HIV and Alzheimer's.He suggests many other diseases as well may be caused by germs.
There was a time not long ago (1980's) when the cause of peptic ulcers were clearly and almost universally accepted to include stress, genetic disposition and emotional anguish.Today, as a result of the acceptance that ulcers of this type are caused by germs, are successfully treated with antibiotics.
To my knowledge, the author is one of the early advocates of this theory that germs are the cause of many of the diseases not presently associated with being caused by them.As a result, he is often subject to harsh critical review from the present generation of medical experts.
I especially appreciated his suggestion for the creation of a data base made up of anecdotal reports ofunexpected positive results of the application of vaccines on chronicdiseases.The data base could supply direction for future research studies to explore.
Although I have no medical expertise, I found reading the book manageable but not an especially easy read. Even so, I found the time spent was very rewarding and left me feeling as though I was getting a pretty clear view of where the future of medicine is headed.

Credibly incredible!
Dr. Ewald makes some outstanding points and raises questions that should have been raised 50 years ago. The idea that all (or most) cancers are microbes is old news, however. There was a group of doctors during the 1920's that isolated the virus in a microscope and were able to destroy the microbe using a radio frequency. People with cancer were being cured because these doctors were destroying the microbes with their radio frequency machine. These doctors' findings and the invention of their microscope were common knowledge and their success against the cancer microbe was published. But the growing medical establishment prevented its treatment from becoming mainstream and eventually destroyed their work. I recommend reading "The Cancer Cure That Worked: 50 Years of Suppression" by Barry Lynes to learn the story.

The world needs more insightful doctors like Paul Ewald. I highly recommend this book to learn about how viruses and other pathogens are causing so many of our health problems!

Hard to read but worth the effort
Plague Time provides important and fascinating information about diseases, how they are acquired, their evolution, and their consequences. Professor Ewald contends that many chronic diseases such as several types of cancer, arteriosclerosis, schizophrenia, several types of arthritis, bipolar disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or even many symptoms of aging are the result of infections. The explanations of how these infections are acquired, and situations where the infectious agents are likely to be especially virulent are of great practical value.

Dr. Ewald's thesis is that infectious agents quickly evolve to maximize their reproductive success. Their virulence and the nature of the acute or chronic symptoms they cause are a function of how they are transmitted. The discussions of microbe evolution deepened my understanding of biology and evolution. There are many examples presented.

Many sections were unnecessarily wordy, with clumsy and overly long sentence constructions and much redundancy. This made parts of the book slow and heavy going. His frequent and often lengthy criticisms of the medical establishment are justified in my view, but sometimes got tiresome. In spite of the effort required, Plague Time is well worth reading. ... Read more

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(Arnold) Univ. of Birmingham, UK. Clinicallyoriented guide providing comprehensive practical advice. All chapters have been updated and include new data on surveillance, administration and the control of antibiotic-resistant organisms, e.g. MRSA and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, hepatitis B and C and HIV. For infection control staff and clinicians. British-oriented. ... Read more

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This book will be of interest to medical practioners, pharmacists, pharmacologists, clinical workers and toxicologists. It is a well researched second edition and it provides an updated information on pharmacology. ... Read more

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Microbial and Parasitic Infection is a unique book for medical undergraduates and covers all aspects of infection and its causes in one volume. Infections are considered as they present a clinical setting, and include protozoa, helminths and fungi as well as bacteria and viruses ... Read more

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Common fungal infections include tinea corporis, capitis, cruris, versicolor, and pedis, as well as onychomycosis. Prevention of spread is important and involves frequent skin surveillance, avoidance of shared equipment, and regular equipment cleaning. The NCAA recommends treatment of tinea corporis and capitis infections and covering any exposed infection before return to play. Parasitic infestations occur because of the close physical contact of team members and athletes in contact sports. Both scabies and pediculosis should be treated before return to play, according to NCAA guidelines. Cutaneous larva migrans, a chronic parasitic infection caused by a hookworm, may be seen in beach volleyball players.

Fungal infections, such as the various forms of tinea (table 1) and onychomycosis, are common among athletes; parasitic infestations less so. Both, however, require diligent diagnosis and expedient treatment. The warm, moist environment of the skin, occlusive equipment, and towel sharing predispose athletes to fungal infections, and close contact and various environments can raise the risk of parasitic infestation. Proper hygiene and other prevention steps are also integral to disease management. ... Read more