Ash & Orihel's Atlas of Human Parasitology (5^th ed.)

The Atlas of Human Parasitology (5^th ed.) consists of 5 big chapters (e.g., Protozoa, Helminths, Arthropods, Pseudoparasites & Artifacts, and Diagnostic Procedures), Glossary, References (Recommended and General), and Index at the end. I found that this atlas contains comprehensive collections of morphological details of important human-parasitic protozoans and metazoans occurring in the world. The book also extensively covers uncommon parasites found in humans. Laboratory techniques are also described, and the reagents, procedures, and comments on each laboratory technique are practically useful.

I am surprised to see that the taxonomy and biology of parasites used in this book have been most freshly updated and numerous newest knowledge and information in the field of medical parasitology have been adopted and introduced. I also see that the book contains quick keys to the identification of intestinal protozoans, helminth eggs, filariform nematode larvae, and microfilariae, all of which appear to be extremely helpful for identification of parasites and distinguishing pseudoparasites and artifacts from real parasites.

The quality of figures is superb, and the explanations using numbers and symbols are excellent. Pagewide figures of malaria blood films as well as small inset figures within the text are very beautiful and artistic. Inset figures in the quick keys appear to be practically helpful for identification of parasites. The glossary contains many important terms used in the field of medical parasitology, and undoubtedly helpful for students studying parasitology. The recommended references and general references provide a ready resource for those interested in learning more about parasites infecting humans.

Among the 7 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) assigned by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Berlin in 2006, their majority (6), namely, 3 soil-transmitted helminthiases (ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infections), schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis, are diseases caused by parasites. Malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis still constitute the major tropical diseases. Increasing attention is paid to opportunistic protozoans, such as cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis that infect immunocompromised patients (AIDS, etc.) and can cause significant illness. Food-borne trematode infections are recognized as a newly emerging group of parasites that can threaten human health. Nevertheless, experts for laboratory diagnosis and identification of parasites are becoming scarcer. To solve this problem, training of young experts in the field of medical parasitology is urgently needed, and this book will be very helpful for this purpose. In addition, tropical medicine doctors, parasitology researchers, professors, and laboratory personnel who need refreshing and continuing education, will also find this book highly valuable.