Parasites and Infectious Disease
Discovery by Serendipity and Otherwise

Engaging introduction to the key discoveries that have shaped the field of parasitology.

Gerald Esch (Author)

9780521858823, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 31 May 2007

366 pages, 20 b/w illus.
23.6 x 15.9 x 2.4 cm, 0.708 kg

This series of entertaining essays provides a unique insight into some of the key discoveries that have shaped the field of parasitology. Based on interviews with 18 of the world's leading parasitologists and epidemiologists, the stories of their contributions to discovery in contemporary parasitology and infectious disease biology are told. Taken together, the essays provide a historical account of the development of the field, serving as a bridge between these discoveries and current research. The book provides a real insight into the thought processes and approaches taken in generating break through scientific discoveries, ranging from immunology to ecology and from malaria and trypanosomiasis to schistosomiasis and Lyme disease. This engaging and lively introduction to discovery in parasitology will be of interest to all those currently working in the field and will also serve to set the scene for future generations of parasitologists.

Preface
Prologue
Introduction
1. African trypanosomes and their VSGs
2. Malaria: the real killer
3. The HIV-AIDS vaccine and the disadvantage of natural selection: the yellow fever vaccine and the advantage of artificial selection
4. Lyme disease: a classic emerging disease
5. The discovery of ivermectin: a 'crap shoot', or not?
6. 'You came a long way to see a tree'
7. Infectious disease and modern epidemiology
8. The 'Unholy Trinity' and the geohelminths: an intractable problem?
9. Hookworm disease: insidious, stealthily treacherous
10. The spadefoot toad and Pseudodiplorchis americanus: an amazing story of two very aquatic species in a very dry land
11. The schistosomes: split-bodied flukes
12. Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Halipegus occidualis: Their life cycles and a genius at work
13. Trichinosis and Trichinella spp. (all eight of them, or is it nine?)
14. Phylogenetics: a contentious discipline
15. Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis neurona, and Neospora caninum: the worst of the coccidians?
Summary.

Subject Areas: Zoology: Invertebrates [PSVT], Parasitology [non-medical PSGH], Microbiology [non-medical PSG]