Immunodeficiency

Immunodeficiencies are conditions characterised mainly by increased susceptibility to infections. Primary immunodeficiencies are usually congenital disorders of the gene(s) encoding certain proteins important for the function of the immune system; secondary immunodeficiencies are acquired during the lifetime of an individual and are the result of external or internal factors. Primary immunodeficiencies are relatively rare, but their study contributes to a general understanding of the function of individual components of immunity. Secondary immune disorders are very common and their incidence is increasing and they represent a serious medical problem.
The book focuses on both aspects of immunodeficiencies and summarizes the latest findings from the literature and the author's own experience in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
The second edition includes substantial new features that have appeared since the first edition: The news are mainly related to the issue of primary immunodeficiencies. From the clinical point of view, as in the case of most primary immunodeficiencies, these are rare cases, which even a specialist immunologist encounters only rarely in his/her lifetime. In order not to create a disproportion between the area of primary immunodeficiencies - more marginal from a clinical point of view - and secondary immunodeficiencies (a very large group of patients), the news are mainly concentrated in the extensive table no. 7. No major or revolutionary changes have been made in the field of secondary immunodeficiencies - the chapters are supplemented with newer citations on the mentioned issue and some minor innovations.
The author team of the second edition has been expanded by prof. MUDr. Anna Šediva, CSc., and MUDr. Ales Janda.
The book is intended more for postgraduate study, and will be welcomed by immunologists, especially internists and related disciplines.