Dictionary of Parasitology PDF

Preface

Parasitic diseases are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in humans and animals throughout the world, and often present with nonspecific signs and symptoms. They are also of great economical importance in agriculture and horticulture. However, although many books have been published that cover various aspects of human, animal and plant parasitology, and public health problems associated with parasites that contaminate food and water supplies, none to date has provided a comprehensive guide for the beginner who is baffled by parasitology jargon. One of the main aims of the proposed Dictionary of Parasitology is to clarify this confusion.

This dictionary contains over 11,500 entries that define all the basic principles of parasitology, together with a wealth of other information. The dictionary reflects current practice in all aspects of parasitology and includes spellings, punctuation, abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, nomenclature, prefixes, and suffixes. It covers the field of parasitology in a concise, clear, authoritative, up-to-date manner, addressing the need for understanding and accurate use of terms, particularly when communicating scientific information.

The dictionary covers terms associated with human, veterinary, plant, insect, and fish parasitology, and entries are broadly assigned to one of these divisions (although, as is the nature of parasitology, there are many occasions when a variety of labels could be applied to any one entry). Entries cover control measures, immunology, physiology, pharmacology, etc., and are additionally demarcated.

It was my intention that the Dictionary of Parasitology should provide the depth and breadth of knowledge to make it both an informative and useful volume for students and experts alike. To provide these, together with science writers and editors of scientific texts, with an extensive guide to the terms used in the field of parasitology. I hope I have fulfilled my aims and that this dictionary will have international appeal and become a frequently consulted, informative, practical guide to the subject.