Textbook of Medical Parasitology 1st Edition

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The last 3-4 decades have seen a massive revolution in our understanding of basic biological concepts, and the field of parasitology has benefited immensely from this revolution. For instance, we now know these organisms to be perfectly adapted to their own specific ecological niches, and to exhibit behavioral and biochemical adaptations that make them ideally suited for their development and propagation. Four decades ago, we knew little if anything about host immunological defenses against parasitic organisms. Now, studies on the host responses to parasitic infections have played a major role in our understanding of 1-cell dichotomy (Thi vs. Th2), responses to antigenic variation and the intriguing mechanisms used the parasites to fly under the radar screen of the host defense mechanisms. This textbook of parasitology seeks to integrate some of this new knowledge into the study of medical parasitology, particularly with reference to the Indian subcontinent. It focuses primarily on those parasitic diseases that remain major public health concerns in India. Key Features A comprehensive, yet easy to understand text, structured to provide information in small well identifiable steps. Parasites and parasitic diseases covered in five sections and 44 chapters. Information grouped under major headings like etiology, historical aspects, epidemiology of disease, parasite biology, clinical aspects of infection, diagnostic procedures, etc. Extensively illustrated. Text supplemented by diagrams, photographs. Several full colour photographs included. An Appendix gives a detailed description of Laboratory Techniques in Parasitology. About the author Dr T. V. Rajan, MD, PhD is Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA. He is an internationally known researcher in Parasitology with important contributions in the field of parasite biology. Table of Contents SECTION I: Introduction 1. The Scope of Medical Parasitology 2. Host-Pathogen Interactions: Parasite Strategies 3. Host-Pathogen Interactions: Host Responses 4. Impact of Recombinant DNA Technology on Parasitology 5. General Features of Protozoan Parasites 6. General Features of Nematode Parasites 7. General Features of Cestode Parasites 8.General Features of Trematode Parasites SECTION II: Diseases of Major Publics Health Importance in India 9. Malaria 10. Lymphatic Filariasis 11. Amebiasis 12. Leishmaniasis 13. Hookworm Infections 14. Ascanasis SECTION III:Diseases of Lesser Public Health Importance which Occur in India 15. Giardiasis 16. Hydatid Disease 17.Paragonimiasis 18. Liver Flukes 19. Fasciolopsiasis 20. Enterobiasis 21. Cryptosporidiosis 22 Sarcocystosis 23. Strongyloidiasis 24. Tapeworm Infections 25. Toxoplasmosis 26. Trichinosis 27. Trichomoniasis 28. Trichuriasis 29. Acanthamebiasis 30. Dracunculosis 31. Cutaneous Larva Migrans 32. Visceral Larva Migrans SECTION IV: Important Parasitic Disease that are Rare or do not Occur in India 33. African Trypanosomiasis or "Sleeping Sickness" 34. American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas' Disease 35. Babesiosis 36. Cysticercosis 37. Loiasis 38. Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) 39. Schistosomiasis 40. Onchocerciasis SECTION V: Ectoparasites 41. Pediculosis 42. Scabies 43. Acariasis 44. Demodicosis Appendix A: Laboratory Techniques in Parasitology Appendix B: Further Readings Index