The Cost of Immune-Mediated “Collateral Damage” in the Nervous System In Defense of the Brain: Current Concepts in the Immunopathogenesis and Clinical Aspects of CNS Infections Edited by Phillip K. Peterson, M.D. and Jack S. Remington, M.D. Oxford: Blackwell Science (1997). 355 pp. $95.00; Immunological and Infectious Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves Edited by N. Latov, John H. J. Wokke, and John J. Kelly, Jr. New York: Cambridge University Press (1998). 435 pp. $145.00

involvement in intestinal function is carried through two " Collateral Damage " in the other chapters in disparate areas of interest. One describes the role of cytokines in the IgA response, to Nervous System which much of the mucosal response is dedicated. N. Lycke presents a conceptually pleasing and logically In Defense of the Brain: Current Concepts in the Im-formatted discussion of the formation of PP and the link munopathogenesis and Clinical Aspects of CNS Infec-between PP and IgA responses. The role of cytokines tions in the IgA response is also a well-developed focus. The Editedother cytokine-related chapter is aimed at immunity to ton, M.D. intestinal helminths. The immune response to these in-Oxford: Blackwell Science (1997). 355 pp. $95.00 fections represents one of the few examples in vivo where there is a clear indication that the type of T cell Immunological and Infectious Diseases of the Periph-response makes a difference. Thus, Th1-type responses eral Nerves are associated with susceptibility to infection while Th2-type responses result in clearance of the parasite. Per-Kelly, Jr. haps surprisingly, this chapter was the only one that New York: Cambridge University Press (1998). 435 pp. dealt with infectious disease in any detail. While some $145.00 of the other chapters touched on aspects of this area, in a book focused on mucosal T cells, the inclusion of Metaphors derived from military life are helpful in under-more material on actual immunity to bacteria and viruses standing how the immune system functions. The term would provide a more complete picture of the raison collateral damage is most often used to describe dam-d'etre for the mucosal immune system. Nevertheless, age from aerial bombardment to structures and individu-Mucosal T Cells will provide the aficionado with useful als near the intended target of a bomb. There is some-background material, and although some chapters may times political motivation to minimize collateral damage, beguile the uninitiated, several are worthwhile reading as evidenced during the recent Operation Desert Fox. for beginners in the field. In contrast, in order exert maximal military, economic, For those interested in a comprehensive treatment of and pyschological impact, the aim is to maximize collat-mucosal immunity, the newly published Mucosal Immu-eral damage, as any student of World War II would know.The human nervous system, particularly the central ner-nenstock, and McGhee will be an excellent resource. vous system, is extremely limited in its ability to regener-Formerly titled The Handbook of Mucosal Immunology, …