Markell EK, John DT, Krotoski WA: Markell and Voge’s Medical Parasitology, 8th Ed, 501 pp, Philadelphia,W.B. Saunders, 1999 ($51).

This is the eighth edition of the classical text of parasitology first published in 1958. Over the years, the text has been updated periodically and the latest revision, finished in 1998 (almost coincidentally with Dr. Markell’s death), reflects well the latest advances in this field.

The book consists of 16 chapters. The introductory general chapters are followed by those that discuss comprehensibly common diseases caused by protozoa, trematodes, nematodes, cestodes, arthropodes, and organisms of uncertain taxonomy. At the end is a chapter that provides an overview of parasitic diseases in high-risk populations, such as AIDS patients and immunocompromised hosts; a chapter that addresses signs and symptoms that are unique to some or common to more than one parasitic disease; and chapters that have detailed protocols for diagnostic procedures in clinical context. Didactic line drawings summarize often the life cycle of various parasites, and color plates illustrate the most important diagnostic features of common parasites, larvae, and ova. The text contains numerous black and white photographs illustrating the clinically important aspects of parasitic diseases. Unfortunately, some of these photographs are not always informative and not of the highest quality. The authors would be well served to remove some of these or replace them with better photographs in the next edition. A list of parasitic diseases that must be reported by law in various states would also be welcome.

This is an excellent textbook for pathology residents and technicians and even clinical infectologists. Practicing pathologists could use it as a reference when dealing with parasitic diseases.