The Immunology of Human Pregnancy (Contemporary Biomedicine) - Hardcover

Claman, Henry N.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0896032515 ISBN 13: 9780896032514

Publisher: Humana, 1993

Synopsis

This book grew out ofmy interest in what is often called "the immunological paradox ofpregnancy." How is it possible that the fetus-halfofwhosegenetic apparatuscomesfrom thefather and is foreign to the mother-can survive to term? This is a question that intrigues all immunologists. For me, it has been of interest ever since I heard a lecture on the subject in medical school, long before I thought ofbecoming a "professional immunologist." Indeed, the question ofthe immunological aspect of fetal survival (or demise) should be of interest to any biologist or physician. The question becomes broader ifone considers the immunologic relations between motherand fetus, because they represent a unique symbiotic union. Whatimmunologic problemsinthemothermayaffecttheoffspring, and isitpossiblethatfetal immunology willaffectthe mother? Finally, there is the question ofwhether immunology is important in recur­ rent spontaneous abortion. Every authorowes the reader a general oversightofthe book in hand, indicating the terrain to be covered, and, by inference, the territory that will not be explored. 1. This is primarily a book for clinicians. I will only men­ tion animal experiments and data in passing, and as they may illuminate a clinical problem or observation. 2. The interest here is the immunology ofmaterno--fetal re­ lations, once a pregnancy has begun. Therefore, I will notcover immunological aspects ofsterility, nor touch on the immunological approaches to controlling fer­ tility, i.e., "contraceptive vaccines." 3. This is a book mainly concerned with pathogenesis.

About this title

Review:

...the writing is superb...the most complex immunologic processes are presented in easy-to-folow diagrams...clinicians who deal with women trying to have babies, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents desiring a basic knowledge of pregnancy immunology would find this book a valuable asset.-The New England Journal of Medicine

Synopsis:

The relationship between a mother and her fetus is a unique symbiotic union and immunological problems in one will most likely affect the other. The question of the immunology of fetal survival-which seems a profound paradox-has thus become one of great importance to biologists and physicians in all specialties. In The Immunology of Human Pregnancy the distinguished physician and immunologist Henry N. Claman surveys the complexly intertwined fields of immunology and obstetrics/perinatal medicine successfully developing a state-of-the-art synthesis that will help clarify the subject for every reader. This integrated single volume explores in depth such fundamental issues as: The immunological interactions between mother and fetus. The immunological paradox of pregnancy-Why doesn't the mother reject the fetus half of whose genes are foreign? The question of immunological competence in the mother during pregnancy. What effects do maternal autoimmunity have on the fetus? What effect does pregnancy itself have on autoimmune disease? The immunological basis of spontaneous abortion and possible immunization for treating this condition.

Comprehensive thoroughly up-to-date and unified in approach Henry N. Claman's authoritative and long-awaited treatment of The Immunology of Human Pregnancy is a stimulating and insightful book for all clinicians and researchers.

About this edition

• Publisher: Humana
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0896032515
• ISBN 13: 9780896032514
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 231