[Livro] Principles of Veterinary Parasitology - D. Jacobs and M. Fox (2015)

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Principles of Veterinary Parasitology - D. Jacobs and M. Fox (2015)











Principles of Veterinary Parasitology - Dennis Jacobs and Mark Fox

Author: Dennis Jacobs, Mark Fox, Lynda Gibbons, Carlos Hermosilla. Wiley Blackwell
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Genres: Medical
Publish Date: December 2, 2015
ISBN-10: 0470670428
Pages: 312
File Type: PDF
Language: English





Parasites are not only scientifically fascinating but when they infect humans or animals they present sophisticated and highly evolved targets that are difficult to control even in the technically advanced world in which we live. Moreover parasitic diseases of domestic animals (in contrast to those of humans) are a real and present danger to the health and welfare of animals throughout the globe, in rich and in poor countries, in temperate as well as in tropical climates. The nature of parasitic diseases of livestock, whilst occasionally acute and lethal, is frequently chronic and endemic leading to the continual detriment of welfare and productivity. This is critical given the rapidly expanding global population and the equally rapidly expanding demand for meat and dairy products. Of current importance, the effects of parasitism on morbidity, mortality and productivity exacerbate the greenhouse gas emissions from ruminants, and the successful control of parasitism mitigates such emissions. Apart from affecting the production of food, some parasites of animals infect humans and are of considerable public health importance. So a new, up to date textbook on this subject is to be welcomed.

This book fills an important niche. It is unashamedly written for students, in its broadest sense, of the subject. These are, of course, mainly those studying to become veterinary clinicians, veterinary nurses or following other veterinary-related courses. But it is also ideal for other types of “learner” such as the qualified professional pursuing continuing education. The authors are highly experienced and knowledgeable university teachers, and it shows. The approach is clinically relevant and highly practical. The text anticipates the misunderstandings and errors that learners can easily make. For example, it makes clear that humans get infected with hydatid disease only from the ingestion of eggs (excreted by dogs) and not from accidental ingestion of hydatid cysts in meat! There is an admirable use of apt analogies to clarify concepts and frequent use of text boxes to expand, explain or expound particular issues or historical examples – for example the history of sheep scab in the UK. As experienced teachers ourselves, we recognise the care with which terms sometimes taken for granted are explained, e.g. formulation in the context of drugs. And there is even a pronunciation guide on the associated website.

The lay out, we suspect, may owe some debt to Angus Dunn’s wonderful and out of print book Veterinary Helminthology (Professor Jacobs was a PhD student with Dunn when he was writing his classic). After an initial chapter describing basic concepts, the rest is divided into two broad sections. The first part deals with the subject matter taxonomically, although always with clinical relevance in mind; the second then approaches the subject from the perspective of the animal host species or group, and the organ(s) affected and associated syndromes, which is how parasitic diseases are presented to the clinician. In the appropriate places there are sections specifically dealing with ectoparasiticides, anthelmintics and antiprotozoal drugs. The discussions of treatments and control are suitably detailed for the target audience and their rationales are thoroughly explained; it is a lot easier to remember when one does what, if one understands the underlying reasons!

This book is a valuable addition to the literature on veterinary parasitology. Although three of the authors are based in the UK, all the authors have extensive international experience and the book reflects this with comprehensive cover of all the major parasitic diseases of domestic animals worldwide. It will be of use to students of the subject throughout the world.

   

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