Abstract
The editors state that the first volume of Pathology of Infectious Diseases was written as a modest update of Pathology of Tropical and Extraordinary Diseases. That earlier text, edited by C. H. Binford and D. H. Conner, is an extremely popular monograph series, first published in 1976. For the last 25 years, I have been using that excellent two-volume monograph to educate veterinary students in the discipline of veterinary parasitology. Veterinary students are often intrigued regarding the human counterparts of the animal pathogens we study. As a result, my editions are now worn and tattered from continued use and perusal by countless veterinary students. I was desperately in search of this book's replacement.
I now welcome this first volume of Pathology of Infectious Diseases, a substantial contribution to the study of the pathology of helminthiases. Volume I is comprised of 37 chapters, illustrated with over 1,300 black-and-white and color photographs of the various life stages of the helminthiases plaguing human beings throughout the world. These 37 chapters cover a wide spectrum of helminthic diseases from schistosomiasis and filariasis to acanthocephaliasis and the miscellaneous nematodiases. The book is multidisciplinary and draws from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology's extensive collection of over 3 million cases and specimens in its tissue repository and archives. These illustrations include excellent photographs of affected individuals and of both gross and microscopic lesions of the pathology produced and scanning electron photomicrographs of critical life cycle stages. For veterinary students, this edition is an excellent “turn on” to the worlds of both pathology and parasitology.
The beauty of this latest volume is that it is indeed a multipurpose edition. Although it is often used to entice and excite undergraduate veterinary students, the textbook also serves as an excellent reference guide and training tool for graduate students in veterinary pathology. Key morphologic features for the identification of nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes are well addressed. This textbook is, indeed, a substantial contribution to the study of the pathology of the helminthiases. In addition, there are 35 detailed tables to assist in the development of the diagnostic skills of both the novice and expert veterinary pathologist.
I look forward to future volumes dealing with arthropodan and protozoan parasites. I hope they will be coming down the turnpike soon.