In the 12 years since publication of the first edition of Clinical Immunology much has changed; as we have increasingly appreciated the nature
of the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory responses to specific antigens, the discipline has surely become more complex, more
interesting and more demanding of its practitioners. Acquired immunity, the specialized development of vertebrate host defenses, was for many
decades the primary focus of attention. Recently, however, we have witnessed an explosion of information relating to the phylogenetically older
systems of innate immunity, which has concurrently enlarged the purview of clinical immunology. In addition to those classical diseases of
the acquired immune system, clinical immunologists today are increasingly interested in a range of inflammatory diseases where rearranged
antigen-specific receptors have not been demonstrated or may not be involved. Rather than specific antigen receptors, these disorders are
mediated by pathogen-recognition systems such as Toll-like receptors on NK lymphocytes and phagocytic cells. These trigger inflammatory
effector processes that were later adopted by the acquired immune system, such as elaboration of soluble inflammatory mediators (cytokines
and chemokines), complement activation, phagolysosome-mediated pathogen elimination and programmed cell death.
The third edition reflects this improved understanding with increased attention to processes and diseases of inflammation and a broadly
defined view of host defenses. We trust that this has been accomplished while retaining a principal focus on those many diseases at the core of
clinical immunology arising from deficiency or aberration of functions of acquired immunity.
Two changes will be immediately apparent to readers familiar with the previous editions. The third edition is, we believe, much enhanced
by production in full color throughout. Clinical case photos are increased and are presented more usefully in the context of text discussion.
Similarly line drawings are not only more attractive, but utilize color effectively to enrich their information content. The second obvious change
is that we have chosen to publish the book in a single (albeit large) volume rather than in the previous two-volume format. We believe that
by editing to reduce redundancy, judicious referencing (with an emphasis on recent reviews) and tightening presentation, the third edition is
consequently more “user friendly,” eliminating the necessity to consult more than a single volume, while not compromising overall content
quality or quantity. There is also a third important change that is not immediately obvious, but which will considerably enhance the long-term
usefulness of the book. This third change is the intent to provide quarterly electronic updates to registered purchasers relating to key advances
in clinical immunology since the publication of this edition. We are confident that such updates will help to keep the book fresh as our field
advances.
The process of editing a book of this size represents the combined efforts of many individuals in addition to the editors and authors. Two
persons, however, warrant special thanks for their essential roles in shepherding this work to its conclusion: Martin Mellor and Randell Baker,
whose efforts on behalf of the editors, authors and, finally, the readers, is gratefully acknowledged.
We trust that the book continues to find a useful place on the desks and book shelves of clinical immunologists of many stripes—from the
specialized practitioner of clinical immunology (either generalized or organ-system oriented), to the generalist or organ-based specialist who
is interested in state-of-the-art approaches to management of inflammatory conditions, and to the fundamental immunologist interested mechanisms of immunologic diseases. Finally, upon reviewing this comprehensive text on clinical immunology, which delves into the many and
increasingly diverse areas of immune system related diseases, the editors hope that this recording of the expanse and depth of knowledge in our
specialty will impart a sense of pride and possession to those clinicians and researchers who call themselves clinical immunologists