Abstract
Taylor's Immunomicroscopy, now in its third edition, is the classic book on diagnostic immunohistochemistry. I have used the second edition on a regular basis, although it is now clearly outdated. The editors are experts in immunohistochemistry and have achieved a fairly homogeneous format despite the number of contributors (37 in this edition versus 11 in the second edition). Some of the contributors are themselves editors of surgical pathology books. This edition begins with two chapters on technical aspects of immunohistochemistry followed by a chapter outlining molecular techniques, 11 chapters of diagnostic immunohistochemistry with a system/organ approach, one chapter of immunocytochemistry, one on tumors of unknown origin and one on detection of occult metastases (new in this edition). The chapter on infectious diseases in the second edition has not been included in the current one.
The 3rd edition has two major new features: all photographs are in color and tables with immunophenotypic characteristics of groups of tumors are common throughout. The appendices in the second edition are not included in the third edition, although part of their information is given in specific chapters. The number of chapters has increased to 17 (from 15), including two new chapters on molecular techniques and immunocytochemistry. Also new to this edition is a brief discussion of molecular pathologic aspects in many tumor groups as well as the use of prognostic markers for some tumors. Molecular pathology is becoming more important now that such technologies can be applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Although the number of pages is similar to that of the previous edition, the focus of this third edition is more diagnostic rather than the mixture of research and diagnostics of the second edition. As the editors explain, the number of markers available for tumor diagnosis has increased tremendously in the last 10 years; likewise, the available information.
Images are plentiful but their quality varies, from excellent to mediocre. Color balance is uneven among images within the same chapter, which makes interpretation or comparison difficult. The text is fairly easy to read, although there are some variations in style, not uncommon in multiauthor books. Some “hot” markers recently incorporated as diagnostic/prognostic tools (e.g., D2-40 for mesothelioma, lymphatic vessels, and some carcinomas) are not addressed. There are occasional typographical errors, sometimes of colossal magnitude, such as the title of chapter 8 (in both the table of contents and the chapter itself), which is Molecular Morphology and Immunohistochemistry, whereas its subject is tumors of the urogenital system. Of 2,687 references, 482 (18%) were published between 2002 and 2005. This percentage is similar to that in Dabb's Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry second edition, published in 2006, and seems adequate.
Though this book is clearly intended for human pathologists and immunohistochemical issues regarding animal species are not addressed, veterinary pathologists and researchers can benefit from having this book available in their institutions. However, do not expect to be able to use even 50% of these markers in veterinary medicine! Also, the lack of information on infectious diseases (a strong component of veterinary diagnostic immunohistochemistry) and no information at all on parathyroid immunohistochemistry are regrettable. Another fault of the third edition, which will disappoint many readers, is the omission of detailed immunohistochemical methods and antigen retrieval protocols as well as an overview chapter summarizing the most commonly used markers in diagnostic immunohistochemistry. That said, I still recommend this book for anyone with a particular interest in immunohistochemistry. I hope the information generated with immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques in veterinary medicine will prompt veterinary pathologists to publish a similar book, perhaps with more humble goals. The task is long overdue.