Main description:

Only recently a new range of agents has become available that are capable of stimulating and regulating host defense systems against microorganisms. Interleukins, interferons and haematopoietic growth factors are now being produced by the biotechnology industry and are being evaluated for clinical use in this area.
Cytokines in the Treatment of Infectious Diseases provides a unique, up-to-date survey of this research area. The use of cytokines in a series of (groups of) infectious diseases is discussed in twelve succinct chapters, from model to clinical study, written by twenty-five expert authors from the world's key institutes in this area.
The book is aimed at microbiologists, immunologists, molecular biologists, cell biologists and other scientific disciplines in the field of biotherapy. It is required reading for physicians dealing with infectious diseases who wish to keep up to date with the developments in this field.

Contents:

Introduction: Cytokines in the biotherapy of infectious diseases; B.-J. Kullberg, J.W.M. van der Meer. Cytokines in the treatment of virus infections; N.B. Finter. Interleukin-1 and related pro-inflammatory cytokines in the treatment of bacterial infections in neutropenic and non-neutropenic animals; J.W.M. van der Meer, M.T.E. Vogels, B.-J. Kullberg. Cytokines and the host defense against Listeria monocytogens and Salmonella typhimurium; J.A.M. Langermans, R. van Furth. Cytokines and legionellosis; T.F. Byrd. The role of cytokines in mycobacterial infection; J.H. Champsi, L.E. Bermudez, L.S. Young. Cytokines in the treatment of fungal infections; B.-J. Kullberg, J.W. van 't Wout. Cytokines in malaria, pathology and protection; W.M.C. Eling, P.G. Kremsner. Cytokines in the treatment of leishmaniasis: From studies of immunopathology to patient therapy; J.L. Ho, R. Badaro, D. Hatzigeorgiou, S.G. Reed, W.D. Johnson Jr. The role of cytokines in toxoplasmosis; C.A. Hunter, C.S. Subauste, J.S. Remington. Cytokines in the treatment of primary immunodeficiency; B.A. Kruskal, R.A.B. Ezekowitz. Cytokines as potential vaccine adjuvants; A. Nohria, R.H. Rubin.