Edited by H.S. Schaaf and A.I. Zumla
Published by WB Saunders Elsevier, UK
Pages: 1,046. Price: £99. ISBN: 978‐1‐4160‐3988‐4
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world's foremost killer among infectious diseases. A vast amount of knowledge has been generated in the field of TB over the past decade, but the growing issue of TB in children and in those infected with HIV remains neglected. This information is not readily available in one volume for practising health workers, especially in developing countries. Thus, there is worldwide need for an up‐todate, comprehensive clinical textbook on developments in TB research, diagnostics, treatment and control.
This comprehensive book, edited by H.S. Schaaff and A.I. Zumla, also benefits from globally renowned TB experts as associate editors, J.M. Grange, P.R. Donald, M. Pai, M. Raviglione, J.R. Starke and W‐W. Yew, which in turn leads to an excellent publication. Together, H.S. Schaaff and A.I. Zumla have developed an international textbook, involving 156 distinguished global authors, all of whom work within the foremost international authorities in TB. The book consists of 107 high‐quality chapters, all of which truly engage the reader. The book provides a thorough overview of the current knowledge; reviews current evidence‐based practice; indicates gaps and challenges; and focuses on practical information, placing strong emphasis on clinical practice of adults and children with TB including TB patients infected with HIV.
The chapters have been skillfully designed to achieve maximum clarity and easy reading. The front cover is beautifully illustrated with an eye‐catching colour picture of a histological AAFB stain, which shows numerous tubercle bacilli. The margins are lined with pictures of skin TB, granuloma, immunflourescence staining of TB bacillus, CT scans and chest radiographs of TB patients.
The majority of the book is based on clinical presentation, diagnosis and management, which is illustrated by systembased case histories of adults and children. The book comprises ten sections: History and epidemiology of TB; Basic Science; Natural history of infection and disease; General clinical features and diagnosis; Clinical presentations of TB; Clinical presentations of TB in special situations; Clinical management of TB; Prevention of TB; Illustrative case histories; and Social and structural issues in TB. These are followed by four very useful appendices: conversion units for laboratory results; TB drug information; web sources of information on TB; and global organisations supporting TB control and TB research funding.
The book has a comprehensive and very helpful index, which enables readers to rapidly identify the subject matter. The book is extensively illustrated with striking clinical images included in every chapter, as well as a range of radiographs, CT, MRI and PET scans of TB. All the images are well defined and the pathology of all organs and systems of the body are included.
This book will be an invaluable practical thesaurus for general physicians, respiratory physicians, TB and HIV clinic staff, medical assistants, nurses, TB programme staff, medical students, postgraduates, clinician scientists, laboratory staff, policy makers, politicians and donor agencies. The book is the most comprehensive textbook on clinical TB available to date, and no doubt it will entrench its place as a ‘classic masterpiece’ in the world of medical literature.
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