From HIV to influenza, the battle between infectious agents and the
immune system is at the heart of disease. Knowledge of how and why
parasites vary to escape recognition by the immune system is central to
vaccine design, the control of epidemics, and our fundamental
understanding of parasite ecology and evolution. As the first
comprehensive synthesis of parasite variation at the molecular,
population, and evolutionary levels, this book is essential reading for
students and researchers throughout biology and biomedicine.
The author uses an evolutionary perspective to meld the terms and
findings of molecular biology, immunology, pathogen biology, and
population dynamics. This multidisciplinary approach offers newcomers a
readable introduction while giving specialists an invaluable guide to
allied subjects. Every aspect of the immune response is presented in the
functional context of parasite recognition and defense--an emphasis that
gives structure to a tremendous amount of data and brings into sharp
focus the great complexity of immunology. The problems that end each
chapter set the challenge for future research, and the text includes
extensive discussion of HIV, influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and many
other pathogens.
This is the only book that treats in an integrated way all factors
affecting variation in infectious disease. It is a superb teaching tool
and a rich source of ideas for new and experienced researchers. For
molecular biologists, immunologists, and evolutionary biologists, this
book provides new insight into infectious agents, immunity, and the
evolution of infectious disease.
