Oxford Handbook of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

Abstract

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Immunology and Allergy is primarily aimed at doctors, nurses, and laboratory staff working in immunology departments and at general physicians who require a succinct review of current immunological and allergic disease. The fifth edition of the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Immunology and Allergy has been extensively revised and updated. There has been an exponential increase in the number of recognized inborn errors of immunity and the chapter on immunodeficiencies has been updated and reorganized to reflect this and map to the International Union of Immunological Societies classification. Likewise, the application of genetic engineering techniques has led to an increase in the production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. A range of new small molecule inhibitors of specific activation pathways in the immune system is revolutionizing the therapy of immunological diseases and malignancy but bring the risks of secondary immunodeficiency. Molecular diagnosis for all types of immunological disease is now available and this has given new insights into diseases and sometimes into basic immunological pathways and mechanisms. The basic structure of the fourth edition has been maintained. Key references have been included as footnotes and electronic links inserted.