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| BOOK REVIEW |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 1 | Page : 94-95 |
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Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach
Subhash Chandra Parija, Shashiraja Padukone
Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| Date of Acceptance | 05-Jan-2016 |
| Date of Web Publication | 28-Jan-2016 |
Correspondence Address:
Subhash Chandra Parija
Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
How to cite this article:
Parija SC, Padukone S. Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach. Trop Parasitol 2016;6:94-5 |
Author: Eric S. Loker and Bruce V. Hofkin
E-mail: [email protected]
Publisher: Garland Science, Taylor and Francis Group, LLC
Year: 2015; Pages: 550 pp/350 illus
ISBN: 978-0-8153-4473-5
Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach is a recent addition to the list of best text books available in parasitology. This book introduces readers to high standards of perception in conceptualizing newer concepts and principles of parasitology without bypassing key elements of a conventional parasitology. The authors Eric S. Loker and Bruce V. Hofkin have an extensive teaching and research experience in various aspects of the parasitology. The authors have molded entire text book into a concise, informative, intriguing, and insightful resource. The initial draft of the book has undergone extensive review by parasitology experts across the globe to reach its high-quality final version.
Conventional text book of parasitology usually covers only protozoans, helminths, and their arthropod vectors, but in this text book, in addition to that the authors have included parasitic plants, fungi, and even bacteria that expand the range of coverage of parasitism. Huge coverage of numerous concepts of parasitism enables the reader to gain a broader perspective that will lead to the better understanding of various parasitic associations.
The entire text book may be broadly sliced into two halves. The first part consists of ten chapters, which majorly deals with general information on parasites and their interactions in a broader perspective. Initial topics try to link up the concepts of parasitology with other major divisions of biology such as immunology, ecology, evolution, biodiversity, and so on. Further, each chapter is divided into three or more sub sections illustrating classical and modern terminologies alongside with interesting discussions about relevant issues concerned to parasitology. At times, readers are poked with surprising questions that make you think contrarily and may generate new ideas to answer the stimulating questions of parasitology.
An expert and concise information on major parasites of human and veterinary interest are put in an edifying way in the second part of the book called Rogues' gallery. Each parasite is discussed in a conventional way including details of the life cycle, pathogenesis, taxonomy, diagnosis, treatment, and control strategies. Those parasites gained access to Rogues' gallery are highlighted throughout the text book in red color. The lesser known, emerging human pathogens such as Blastocystis and some of the food borne intestinal trematodes could not make their way into the Rogues' gallery. However, the Rogues' gallery had sensibly covered all the major parasite groups.
On a technical note, Garland Science has lived up to the expectation in publishing scientific textbooks by maintaining its high quality. This text book encompasses a total of more than 250 high clarity figures along with frequent, informative, and well-organized boxes and tables. One of the unique features of this text books is that learning and teaching materials are made available for both students and instructors at the publishers' website (www.garlandscience.com). Among the learning resources provided for the students, the evolutionary tree construction and flashcards are very useful. The instructor's manual helps in structuring the course. Meanwhile, the high-quality images from the text book can be downloaded and used for computer aided presentations.
The various parasitological concepts embedded in this text book are presented in a distinct and lucid manner which brings a fresh wave of thoughts in the minds of the readers. This book is a useful resource for the students and researchers involved in any parasitology or related fields. Finally, if you are a parasitology lover, we definitely suggest that this text book deserves to be in your personal library.
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