Until recently, the contribution of immunological knowledge to the
under- standingand management ofENTdisorders was slight, being largely
confined to the appreciation that many rhinitic patients were allergic.
Happily, this situation is rapidly changing: the immunological basis of
many disorders of the ears, nose and throat is becoming recognized and
the mechanisms of the reactions involved are being elucidated. From
this, rational therapy should evolve. This book aims to highlight some
of the areas in which immunological mechanisms are involved in
otorhinolaryngology. It is written by experts in their respective fields
of immunology and allergy, otology, rhinology and pathology. It opens
with an overview ofthe pathways ofthe immune response and the cells and
molecules involved, leading to an appreciation of the normal defence
mechanisms of the upper respiratory tract and possible areas offailure.
There is then a chapter on HIV infection and how this may present to
otorhinolaryngologists. The normal function of the tonsil and the
immunological effects oftonsillectomy are then considered. The varying
roles of fungi in ENT disorders ranging from commensal through allergen
to invasive organisms is assessed by Professor R. J. Hay. Perhaps the
most obvious immunological contribution to management thus far lies in
the immunocytochemical diagnosis of pathological conditions of the ears,
nose and throat and this is covered in a chapter by Professor Leslie
Michaels.