Abstract
This book provides a major source of information on normal immunity in animals, as well as dysfunction of the immune system. It is, by all accounts, the primary resource for information about the basics of veterinary immunology. The ninth edition contains the most recent information on the immune response, a rapidly changing subject. Explaining the immune response is a daunting challenge, but this book does it in a readable and fairly concise manner.
The first half of the book describes, in some detail, the various aspects of the immune system and how they are theorized to work. Within each chapter are boxes that supply additional information on the subject, which are helpful and informative. Chapters are well organized and, compared with previous editions, more detail is also provided. For example, the complement pathways, details of inflammation and roles of dendritic cells are elaborated upon in this edition.
The second half of the book contains content that is more applied; for example, chapters on vaccine development and use. In addition, descriptions of how the immune response may malfunction are given. This book is a good resource for veterinary medicine-specific topics, such as unique aspects of the immune system in various species, as well as abnormalities and diseases of the immune system of animals.
In comparing this text with those of human immunology, the content of this book is more useful for the veterinary student, as well as the clinician. This new edition contains current and updated information making it on par with the human texts. The ‘cartoon’ images of the various immune components are not as detailed and explanatory as may be found in the human texts, but they are sufficient for the points being emphasized in the text.
Overall, Veterinary Immunology provides an up-to-date resource for those wanting to learn or refresh their memory on the functioning immune system. New discoveries described in the text add to the completeness and thorough nature of the content. The applied aspects of immunology in veterinary medicine described in this text make it the logical choice for those seeking in-depth understanding of the immune response and diseases associated with its dysfunction.