Immunoglobulins in Health and Disease

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

   PDF

2. Structure and Function of Immunoglobulins

   • D. R. Burton, L. Gregory

   Pages 1-22

3. Immunoglobulin Genetics

   • J. P. Pandey

   Pages 23-29

4. Immunoglobulin Isotype Diversity and its Functional Significance

   • L. Hammarström, C. I. E. Smith

   Pages 31-53

5. The Biological and Pathological Significance of Antibody Affinity

   • M. E. Devey

   Pages 55-73

6. Physiology and Clinical Significance of Secretory Antibodies

   • H. J. F. Hodgson

   Pages 75-86

7. Methodological Aspects of Serum Immunoglobulin Assays

   • P. A. E. White, A. Milford Ward

   Pages 87-101

8. Physiology and Pathology of Immunoglobulins in the Fetus and Child

   • J. Schoettler, D. C. Heiner

   Pages 103-121

9. Serum Immunoglobulins in Disease Diagnosis and Management

   • M. A. H. French

   Pages 123-142

10. Monoclonal Immunoglobulins

    • M. Haeney

    Pages 143-172

11. Immunoglobulins in CSF

    • G. Keir, E. J. Thompson

    Pages 173-187

12. Back Matter

    Pages 189-197

    PDF

Rapid advances continue to be made in all areas of immunology, not least the biology of the immunoglobulins. This knowledge has resulted in a better understanding of antibody responses and helped to clarify pathogenic mechanisms in many diseases, particularly autoimmune and allergic diseases, as well as expand our comprehension of antibody deficiency diseases and mechanisms in therapeutic immunization. In addition, the recognition that diverse disease states may result in abnormalities of the amount of immunoglobulins in body fluids has resulted in the use of immunoglobulin assays for disease diagnosis and management. The aim of this book has been to condense both the established and recent aspects of this knowledge, particularly that pertaining to clinical immunology. The contributions of different authors hopefully provide a comprehensive review of their particular field of interest as well as a discussion of how this information can be applied to clinical medicine. Immunological terms and concepts have been explained where appropriate so that the book can be read by those with only a basic knowledge of immunology. In producing a book on this one area of immunology some duplication of information has been accepted so that topics can be considered in different contexts. I hope the book will be of value to those in training or already pursuing a career in clinical or laboratory medicine by providing a basic and short text on immunoglobulins. M.A.H.F.

• antibody
• genetics
• immunoglobulin
• pathology
• physiology

• Clinical Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK

  M. A. H. French

Policies and ethics