Infection and Autoimmunity.Yehuda Shoenfeld and Noel R. Rose, editors Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 2004 ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m : 0-444-51271-3 Pages: 747; Price: US $192.00 As the editors imply in their introduction, the relationship of infection and autoimmunity is complex, compelling, and best viewed as a physiologic process and potential consequence of normal immune recognition and immunoregulation. The editors boldly state that reading the chapters in this book brings one to the conclusion that all autoimmune diseases Autoimmune diseases A group of diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, in which immune cells turn on the body, attacking various tissues and organs. Mentioned in: Complement Deficiencies, Premature Menopause are infectious, until proven otherwise (my paraphrase). Add environmental triggers to the mix, and most investigators would agree. The book is divided into 3 broad sections: mechanisms of autoimmunity; specific infectious agents and their associated autoimmune diseases; and, conversely, specific autoimmune diseases and their associated infectious agents. The chapters in the mechanisms section focus on particular mechanisms, and with 1 exception, are scholarly and well done. However, this section lacks a review or balanced discussion of the various mechanisms of autoimmunity and proof of causation. Fortunately, the first article in the pathogen section by Denman and Rager-Zisman provides an excellent overview. As with any compendium (56 chapters by more than 100 authors), the quality varies, but all are written by investigators who have made substantial contributions to the field. The book is recommended for clinical investigators with some background in infectious disease or immunology as a starting point and ready resource for the current state of knowledge in the field. Address for correspondence: John S. McDougal, Division of HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Prevention, National Center for HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. , STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialing) Long distance dialing outside of the U.S. that does not require operator intervention. STD prefix codes are required and billing is based on call units, which are a fixed amount of money in the currency of that country. and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. , 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop A25, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA: fax: 404-639-2726; email: jsm3@cdc.gov John S. McDougal, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
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