Allergic diseases: Diagnosis and treatment

Jane Brooks

EDITORS Phil Lieberman, John A. Anderson PUBLISHER Humana Press, 999 Riverview Dr, Suite 208, Totowa, NJ 07512, USA TELEPHONE 800 777-4643 FAX 973 256-8341 WEBSITE www.humanapress.com PUBLISHED 2007/484 pp/$99.00 US

OVERALL RATING Excellent

STRENGTHS Well written; well organized; important clinical points or pearls presented in highlighted boxes

WEAKNESSES Written within the context of the United States; therefore, only US epidemiologic data are included

AUDIENCE All physicians and health care providers who care for patients with allergies (particularly in primary care and emergency room settings)

This book describes numerous allergic manifestations (eg, anaphylaxis, asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, urticaria, and contact dermatitis), and provides a thorough discussion on diagnostic tests for environmental, insect-sting, and food allergies. Chapters in the book cover a variety of topics, such as pharmacologic agents used for the treatment of allergies, including allergen immunotherapy, children with recurrent respiratory tract infections, and controversies in allergy and allergy-like diseases.

Allergic Diseases is a very clinically oriented book. The pathophysiology of each entity is explained in terms of up-to-date immunologic mechanisms, which are complete but easily understandable, such that the rationale for treatments of these diseases can be appreciated. All the contributing authors do a good job of describing the immunology of allergies in a readable and not overwhelming manner. This book serves as an excellent reference and practical guide to caring for patients with allergic diseases and treating these illnesses. It is user-friendly and easy to read.