Fungal Pathogenesis--Principles and Clinical Applications

Richard Calderone & Ronald Cihlar, Eds. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, NY, USA, 2002. ISBN 0-8247-0568-8. 762 pp. This volume is the latest in the Marcel Dekker Mycology series (Volume 14). However, it could equally stand on its own as an outstanding collection of reviews on the current status of our knowledge of virulence determinants and human immunity in fungal disease. These two sections are divided into ten or more chapters each. The reviews are not intended to be comprehensive and rather focus on specific organisms or diseases. The section on the virulence of Blastomyces, for instance, reviews work on cell wall adhesins (W1-1), a topic that has wider relevance in mycology. Intracellular survival, pH modulation and the molecular basis of di-morphism are all covered under different organisms. Similarly the host resistance chapters are very focused. There is an excellent chapter on histoplasma vaccines, once again concentrated on this single topic. Immunity and Cryptococcus is covered in two chapters dealing with the role of humoral responses and the interaction between Cryptococcus neoformans and macrophages. The final two sections are more clinically oriented, covering treatment and new diagnostic measures, respectively. While their relevance in a work on pathogenesis is open to question they are of an equally high standard. The treatment section starts with a chapter reviewing the field and then chapters describe specific problem areas, such as drug resistance and novel targets for antifungals. The diagnostic section focuses particularly on molecular diagnosis and the role of typing in the investigation of the epidemiology of fungal infections. There is a chapter on the subject of clonality amongst pathogenic yeast strains and a final section on new and emerging pathogens. While this book is likely to date fast as it encompasses much recent knowledge, the editors should be congratulated on assembling a team of authors who have provided an interesting, readable and up-to-date insight into specific areas relating to fungal infection. In their different ways most provide a valuable insight into pathogenic mechanisms, information that may be more widely applicable in furthering knowledge of human fungal pathogens. Overall, this book is a must for those interested in medical mycology and fungal disease.