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Anaphylaxis is the most dramatic and potentially life-threatening manifestation of an immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction. Although known for over 100 years, it still poses many unresolved questions, and its practical management and acute treatment are often more empiric in nature than evidence-based. In this book a multidisciplinary group of experts review the state of the art in the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and clinical symptomatology of anaphylaxis. Its etiology with regard to different elicitors such as insect venoms, radiocontrast media, analgesics, general and local anesthetics is examined in detail. Finally, treatment modalities for anaphylaxis are discussed both for acute reactions and as general management recommendations for patients at risk. Providing thorough and up-to-date coverage of this frequently underestimated problem, this book is of interest not only to allergologists and immunologists, but also to all physicians and affected patients.

Advances in Immunology, a long established and highly respected publication, presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. - Now available online! - Highly respected review series with an impact factor in 2003 of of 7.424 and ranked number 8/114 - New Editor, Frederick Alt

Exploring current treatment options for skin conditions affecting more than 20% of the population, this reference examines every type of urticaria and angioedema, reviews the mechanisms common to all types of these disorders, and discusses the uses and limitations of existing and emerging treatment regimens for urticaria and angioedema, including a

The importance of fungal organisms as allergens and pathogens has been increasing considerably over the last decade. This is due, on the one hand, to a general increase in the incidence of allergies, but also to the growing number of immunocompromized individuals such as AIDS patients or transplant recipients. This book summarizes what is currently known about the allergens of Candida, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Coprinus, and Psilocybe, among others, and describes the application of recombinant allergens for diagnosis and new forms of therapy. The virulence factors and defense mechanisms against Aspergillus and Candida infections are discussed as are the various causes of superficial skin infections with fungi and the aerobiology of fungal spores and mycelia. A comprehensive chapter on fungal toxins and their importance for human and animal health is included, followed by a summary of the present state of fungal genome sequencing. Finally, the now generally accepted new sequence-based systematics and phylogeny of allergenic and pathogenic fungi is presented. A glossary explains the highly specialized terminology of clinical and systematic mycology for the nonspecialist. Summarizing the most up-to-date molecular and clinical findings, this publication will be of interest not only to allergologists, mycologists and biologists, but to all clinicians who want to learn more about clinically important fungi as well as to lawyers concerned with lawsuits on ‘sick building syndrome'.

Bradykinin is a type of plasma hormone that causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in a drop in blood pressure, the contraction of muscles in the lungs, intestines, and uterus, and pain. The Kinin System reviews the molecular biology of the kinins through their roles in a complex array of inflammatory conditions such as asthma, GI disease, cardiovascular complaints and examines the future therapeutic opportunities. From the prepublication reviews:'A delicious masterpiece.'--Chef's DigestThe Kinin System is a comprehensive, timely book covering all aspects of the kinin system from its disocvery to the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and molecular biology of the mechanisms regulating kinin production to kinin receptors in health and disease. The authors take a refreshingly different view of the kinin system than previous books on the subject. Several chapters contain new information on the gene expression, regulation, and cell surface presentation of kininogens and kallikreins, as well as new data, some of it from human studies, on the role of kinins in pain angiogenesis, tissue repair, sepsis, arthritis, asthma, allergic rhinits, myocardial ischemia, and other diseases.• • Offers new information on kinin reception, regulation of gene expression of receptors, and kinin-generating proteins.• Provides a distinctly immunopharmacological approach to the kinin system.• Reviews of the role of kinins in disease and inlcudes data from human studies.• Includes information that is fully up-to-date and comprehensive.