Immunological and Infectious Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves [Hardcover]

N. Latov (Author), John H. J. Wokke (Author), John J. Kelly (Author), Byron Waksman (Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521462657 | ISBN-13: 978-0521462655 | Publication Date: May 28, 1998 | Edition: 1

This is the first book dedicated to peripheral neuropathies of immune or infectious origin, which are now known to comprise a substantial proportion of disorders of the peripheral nerves. Many of the most important advances in the field were made by contributors to this volume. There are four sections, dealing with biology and epidemiology, patient evaluation, specific clinical syndromes known to be of infectious or immunologic origin, and therapy and management, including rehabilitation. Neurologists will welcome this comprehensive review of the field, which provides an authoritative overview of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of infectious and immune mediated neuropathies.

Editorial Reviews

From The New England Journal of Medicine

For much of their length, peripheral nerves are protected against the immune system by tight capillary endothelial junctions and perineurium. However, this protection is only relative. Lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, complement components, viruses, and toxins can gain access to motor nerves at their termination in skeletal muscle and to sensory nerves at the level of the dorsal-root ganglion. Such access can be a recipe for trouble, since peripheral nerves contain molecules that very suitably serve as autoantigens, such as myelin-specific lipids and proteins, and microglia-like cells that can present antigens to lymphocytes. Immune-mediated damage to the peripheral nervous system may occur in isolation, as in the Guillain-Barre syndrome, or as a component of a multisystem disorder, as in periarteritis nodosa. Immune damage in a nerve can be set in motion by an infection (e.g., lepromatous leprosy or Lyme disease), a neoplasm (e.g., the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome), or a connective-tissue disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).

The clinical presentations of immune-mediated peripheral nervous system disorders include symmetric distal polyneuropathy, selective involvement of one or more peripheral nerves, and pure dysfunctions of autonomic nerves or neuromuscular junctions. Diagnosis can be straightforward. For example, polyneuropathy that is rapidly progressive, is symmetric, and involves motor nerves more than sensory nerves in an otherwise healthy person is likely to be the Guillain-Barre syndrome; mononeuropathy multiplex in a person with evidence of renal and pulmonary involvement is often due to vasculitis. Measurements of nerve conduction velocity serve as a helpful extension of the clinical examination, making it possible to distinguish between demyelinative disorders and axonal disorders. Serologic studies (e.g., titers of antibodies in Lyme disease and human immunodeficiency virus infection) are often invaluable in making a specific diagnosis, as is histologic detection of amyloid or necrotizing arteritis.

Immunological and Infectious Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves is a valuable resource for clinicians involved in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders and care of patients with these diseases. The chapters are by experts and have been carefully and consistently formulated to cover the clinical, pathophysiologic, and therapeutic aspects of essentially all the known immunologic and infectious diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system. Despite the many authors, there is very little redundancy. The illustrations are, in general, well chosen, though the reproduction of histologic figures suffers somewhat from the paper stock and the lack of color. The chapters are well referenced with key articles, which in general were published through 1996 or the beginning of 1997. The book provides a well-structured appreciation of this group of peripheral nerve disorders. At least in my case, the opportunity to read through the book is likely to translate into a greater capacity to diagnose and manage illness in my patients.

Reviewed by David Pleasure, M.D.

Review

"This book will serve as a useful practical clinical text for every neurologist or clinician involved in the management of patients with these immune and infectious neuropathies, but it also carries up-to-date reviews and references for those who may have a more research orientated interest in this field, where significant advances continue to be made in diagnosis and development of treatment." J.G. Llewelyn, Brain

"The relation between immunological events and peripheral neuropathy is explored in this text, which is aimed at both practising neurologists and basic immunological researchers. The contributors review pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatement of infectious and immune-mediated neuropathies." Lancet

"Immunological and Infectious Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves is a valuable resource for clinicians involved in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders and care of patients with these diseases. The book provides a well-structured appreciation of this group of peripheral nerve disorders. ...the opportunity to read through the book is likely to translate into a greater capacity to diagnose and manage illness in my patients." New England Journal of Medicine

"...an excellent place to educate oneself in the fascinating interplay between the microbial world, the immune system, and the brain." Cell

"...a welcome addition to the many neurological monographs that appear annually because it presents concise summaries and usually, critical commentary about the literature relating to these conditions. The references in each chapter are generally extensive and presented in a three column easy-to-use format...a good book that should be part of any hospital or group library...its target audience should be neurology residents, general neurologists and those who wish to broaden their knowledge about immune disorders of the peripheral nervous system and selected infectious diseases that affect the peripheral nervous system." The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 455 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (May 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521462657
• ISBN-13: 978-0521462655
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,689,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)