immunology and drug therapy of allergic skin diseases

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BOOK REVIEW Immunology and Drug Therapy of Allergic Skin Diseases. By C.A.F.M. Brunjinzeel-Koomen, E.F. Knol. The book summarizes in 12 chapters totalling 200 pages important aspects of frequent immune mediated skin diseases. The term ‘‘allergy’’ is used according a ‘‘European’’ definition as the book does not restrict itself to IgE-mediated diseases. In addition to IgE-mediated diseases it addresses atopic dematitis, drug reactions, and allergic contact dermatitis, which are mostly based on IgE-independent mechanisms. As suggested by the title, the content is broken into three main topics: pathophysiology, clinics, and therapy. The first topic starts with a classic introduction into the skin immune system by J.D. Bos. This overview also introduces the different factors involved in the inflammation of the skin. Consequently, the following chapters describe the immunologic role of the different cells and their interactions: the T–B-cell system, eosinophils, mast cells, and the basics of cell–cell inter- actions. The clinical chapters address the most prevalent immune mediated skin diseases, atopic dermatitis, contact allergy, urticaria, and drug reactions. Whereas the clinical chapters are written with the intention to provide an overview from pathophysiology to therapy, the two chapters on contact dermatitis caused by cosmetics and on occupational contact dermatitis are of special interest as they provide a concise and excellent clinical summary on the current state of the art. They clearly respond to the important questions of who is at risk, how to deal with, where to look for, and when and what should be suspected and tested. The final chapter discusses the therapy of atopic dermatitis from conventional therapies, to therapies under study and to more speculative types of treatments. It provides a brief, well-weighed, critical evaluation of the different treatments in progress and deals especially with the possibilities of allergen avoidance. Thus, the book provides a good insight into recent developments of selected, but important topics of immune mediated skin diseases. It is of special benefit for those who do not want to tackle larger text books, but desire a short comprehensive insight into some selected, but without doubt frequent and important ‘‘allergic’’ skin diseases. Martin Ro ¨cken, Munich 0022-202X/01/$15.00 · Copyright # 2001 by The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc. 828

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BOOK REVIEW

Immunology and Drug Therapy of Allergic Skin Diseases.By C.A.F.M. Brunjinzeel-Koomen, E.F. Knol. The booksummarizes in 12 chapters totalling 200 pages important aspectsof frequent immune mediated skin diseases. The term ``allergy'' isused according a ``European'' de®nition as the book does notrestrict itself to IgE-mediated diseases. In addition to IgE-mediateddiseases it addresses atopic dematitis, drug reactions, and allergiccontact dermatitis, which are mostly based on IgE-independentmechanisms. As suggested by the title, the content is broken intothree main topics: pathophysiology, clinics, and therapy.The ®rst topic starts with a classic introduction into the skinimmune system by J.D. Bos. This overview also introduces thedifferent factors involved in the in¯ammation of the skin.Consequently, the following chapters describe the immunologicrole of the different cells and their interactions: the T±B-cellsystem, eosinophils, mast cells, and the basics of cell±cell inter-actions.

The clinical chapters address the most prevalent immunemediated skin diseases, atopic dermatitis, contact allergy, urticaria,and drug reactions. Whereas the clinical chapters are written with

the intention to provide an overview from pathophysiology totherapy, the two chapters on contact dermatitis caused by cosmeticsand on occupational contact dermatitis are of special interest as theyprovide a concise and excellent clinical summary on the currentstate of the art. They clearly respond to the important questions ofwho is at risk, how to deal with, where to look for, and when andwhat should be suspected and tested.

The ®nal chapter discusses the therapy of atopic dermatitis fromconventional therapies, to therapies under study and to morespeculative types of treatments. It provides a brief, well-weighed,critical evaluation of the different treatments in progress and dealsespecially with the possibilities of allergen avoidance.

Thus, the book provides a good insight into recent developmentsof selected, but important topics of immune mediated skin diseases.It is of special bene®t for those who do not want to tackle largertext books, but desire a short comprehensive insight into someselected, but without doubt frequent and important ``allergic'' skindiseases.

Martin RoÈcken, Munich

0022-202X/01/$15.00 ´ Copyright # 2001 by The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc.

828