Parasites of the Colder Climates
Edited by Hannah Akuffo, Ewert Linder, Inger Ljungstrom, and Mats Wahlgren
Taylor & Francis Group, London and New York: 2003
ISBN: 0-415-27584-9
Reviewed by Rochelle Caviness - November 10, 2003
Malaria, Yellow Fever, Ebola, Hanta Virus, and other diseases associated with tropical and temperate regions tend to get all the press. Nonetheless, there is a significant body of parasites that flourish in colder climates, and which have long impacted human civilization. Edited by Hannah Akuffo, Ewert Linder, Inger Ljungstrom, and Mats Wahlgren, Parasites of the Colder Climates, is a monumental work that details the various indigenous parasites that are prolific in Northern countries such as Sweden, Russia, Canada, Estonia, Iceland, Norway, and Finland.
Parasites of the Colder Climates is comprised a series of short articles written by a variety of epidemiologist and parasitologist that specialize in the study of the Northern hemisphere's parasites. The articles are organized into five thematic groupings. The first part of this book provides a list of the parasites that are indigenous to the Northern regions, and a working definition of parasites and parasitism.
Part two is entitled General epidemiology in countries of the North: past and present and the five articles contained in this section provide a detailed epidemiological overview the region. In part three, the most prevalent and important parasites of the region are discussed in detailed. Parasites covered include:
Acanthamoeba
Giardia intestinalis
Pneumocystis carinii
Toxoplasma gondii
Anisakis
Trichomonas vaginalis
Biphyllobothrium latum
Enterobius vermicularis
Echinococcus
Toxocara canis
Trichinella
Parts four and five detail how these parasites are presented clinically in human hosts, and the various laboratory and diagnostic methodology used to diagnose these parasitological infections. The final section of this book is devoted to an article by Sven F. Britton that offers an historical overview on early research conducted on neglected diseases of the north.
Parasites of the Colder Climates serves as an excellent and comprehensive reference guide to the parasites of the north. Information is provided that is relevant not only to diagnosing parasitic infections - both clinically and in the laboratory - but information is also offered on how to prevent these infections. (This book also provides helpful tips for tourist on the steps they can take to reduce their risk of acquiring a parasitic infection when on their trip). These are all medical journal quality articles, complete with references and suggestions for further reading. Many of the articles are illustrated and are by the inclusion of handy reference tables. This book is ideal for medical practitioners, researchers, and advanced students and is destined to become a standard reference book in this field.
