Fundamental Immunology

Extensively revised and updated throughout, with seven entirely new chapters and the insights of 31 new contributors, the Third Edition reflects the explosive growth of information in the dynamic field of immunology. Coverage includes recent groundbreaking discoveries on molecular events that regulate the immune response, antigen processing and presentation, cytokines, and immune responses to infectious agents.Six chapters in the Third Edition focus on completely new topics--immunoglobulin class switching; somatic mutation and affinity maturation; immunosuppression; and immunity to viruses, intracellular bacteria, and extracellular bacteria. Antigen processing and presentation, which were only touched on in the previous edition, are now described in detail in a separate chapter. Coverage of the role of specific cytokines in the immune response has been greatly expanded. Chapters on HIV infection, primary immunodeficiency diseases, allergy and hypersensitivity, and immunoparasitology have been rewritten by new contributors who are preeminent authorities on these diseases. All chapters include updated references.