Book Review

Mucocutaneous Manifestations of Viral Diseases

N Engl J Med 2003; 349:719-720August 14, 2003

Article

Mucocutaneous Manifestations of Viral Diseases
Edited by Stephen K. Tyring. 574 pp., illustrated. New York, Marcel Dekker, 2002. $195. ISBN: 0-8247-0450-9

Since the 1980s, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), viral hepatitis, infection with the Ebola and Marburg viruses, and the threat of smallpox have had a major effect on world health. The increasing rate of travel to and from both easily accessible and remote regions of the world, the growing number of medically compromised persons, and the increasing prevalence of previously unknown or rare viruses have had a considerable effect on clinical practice. Thus, this easy-to-read book on viruses is timely and fills a void for practitioners everywhere. The editor of the book, Dr. Stephen K. Tyring, a leader in the field of cutaneous manifestations of viral diseases, has authored or coauthored six of the chapters.

In general, each of the 23 chapters is well written and concise. The first two chapters, which introduce the topics of cutaneous virology and cutaneous resistance, will permit clinicians to master the basic concepts of 21st-century virology and viral immunology. Each of the succeeding 21 chapters focuses on one family or species of viruses. The layout of each chapter is user friendly and tailored to the visual as well as the traditional learner. Complex immunologic mechanisms are made clear.

Each chapter begins with a definition of the virus under consideration, followed by a short history and a discussion of the incidence, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of the viral disease. Each chapter contains excellent charts and diagrams illustrating the geographic distribution, the taxonomy, and the mechanism of transmission, including host, vector, and animal reservoirs. Tables enhance the concise but comprehensive clinical data and summarize the clinical manifestations, differential diagnoses, key distinguishing features, and treatment. A reference list of useful articles appears at the end of each chapter.

The extensive collection of color photographs is the highlight of this book. For example, the chapter on human herpesvirus 8 illustrates in vivid color not only a dozen clinical presentations of Kaposi's sarcoma but also other conditions that should be considered in the differential diagnosis. The chapter on poxviruses illustrates excellent examples of smallpox and also examples of vaccination-site reactions, localized dissemination, autoinoculation of vaccinia, and eczema vaccinatum.

Mucocutaneous Manifestations of Viral Diseases is a clearly written and well-illustrated single-volume textbook. It is ideal for hospitalists, dermatologists, infectious-disease specialists, pediatricians, internists, and family practitioners.

Ginat Wintermeyer Mirowski, D.M.D., M.D.
Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
gmirowsk@iupui.edu