The Filaria, 2002 World Class Parasites Series, Vol. 5

Filarial nematodes constitute and important group of human pathogens in tropical regions of the world. Diseases associated with these worms are generally separated into two categories: filariasis, caused by infections of lymphatic dwelling parasites and onchocerciasis, or river blindness, caused by infections of Onchocerca volvulus. Other filariae specifically infect humans and it is likely that zoonotic filarial infections may alter the outcome of infections with human parasites. The chapters in this book will cover concepts that, in most instances, overlap all of these parasites as well as focus on new and emerging ideas.
The Filaria, volume five of World Class Parasites, is written for researchers, students and scholars who enjoy reading research that has a major impact on human health, or agricultural productivity, and against which we have no satisfactory defense. It is intended to supplement more formal texts that cover taxonomy, life cycles, morphology, vector distribution, symptoms and treatment. It integrates vector, pathogen and host biology and celebrates the diversity of approach that comprises modern parasitological research.

Preface. Lymphatic filarial infections: an introduction to the filariae; J.W. Kazura. Vector-Parasite Interactions in Mosquito-Borne Filariasis; L.C. Bartholomay, B.M. Christensen. Evolutionary Relationships Among Filarial Nematodes; O. Bain. Filarial Genomics: Gene Discovery and Gene Expression; S.A. Williams, S.J. Laney. The Epidemiology of Onchocerciasis and the Long Term Impact of Existing Control Strategies on this Infection; P. Fischer, D.W. Büttner. The Epidemiology of Filariasis Control; E. Michael. Host Factors, Parasite Factors, and External Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Filarial Infections; D.O. Freedman. Natural History of Human Filariasis - The Elusive Road; B. Ravindran. In Utero Exposure to Filarial Antigens and its Influence on Infection Outcomes; P.J. Lammie. Immune Effectors Important in Protective Resistance; A. Hoerauf. Immune Regulation and the Spectrum of Filarial Disease; C.L. King. Wolbachia Bacterial Endosymbionts; M.J. Taylor. Approaches to the Control and Elimination of the Clinically Important Filarial Diseases; C.D. Mackenzie, et al. Vaccines For Filarial Infections; P.B. Keiser, T.B. Nutman. Index.

Thomas R. Klei is a Boyd Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA. T.V. Rajan is a Professor at the School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA