Trematodology - the study of a class of medically important parasitic, flat-bodied worms - has made significant advances over the past ten years. The tremendous amount of information accumulated from research discoveries and technical developments related to trematode biology makes this book a timely and necessary part of the literature. Advances in Trematode Biology presents a thorough treatment of modern trematodology, including principles and practices. With coverage of background material as well as modern methods, Advances in Trematode Biology updates researchers, practitioners, and students with new information in immunology, biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology. Advances in Trematode Biology includes practical information on parasitological techniques, emphasizing species of medical and veterinary importance - a key reference for parasitologists, biologists, medical, and veterinary personnel. The excellent presentation of material, including well-organized tables and chapters, make Advances in Trematode Biology easy to use both as a textbook and as a reference.

The book by K. V. Galaktionov and A. A. Dobrovolskij maintains the tra- tion of monographs devoted to detailed coverage of digenetic tr matodes in the tradition of B. Dawes (1946) and T. A. Ginetsinskaya (1968). In this - spect, the book is traditional in both its form and content. In the beginning (Chapter 1), the authors provide a consistent analysis of the morphological features of all life cycle stages. Importantly, they present a detailed char- terization of sporocysts and rediae whose morphological-functional orga- zation has never been comprehensively described in modern literature. The authors not only list morphological characteristics, but also analyze the functional significance of different morphological structures and hypothesize about their evolution. Special attention is given to specific features of m- phogenesis in all stages of the trematode life cycle. On this basis, the authors provide several original suggestions about the possible origins of morp- logical evolution of the parthenogenetic (asexual) and the hermaphroditic generations. This is followed by a detailed consideration of the various m- phological-biological adaptations that ensure the successful completion of the complex life cycles of these parasites (Chapter 2). Life cycles inherent in different trematodes are subject to a special analysis (Chapter 3). The authors distinguish several basic types of life cycles and suggest an original interpretation of their evolutionary origin. Chapter 4 features the analysis of structure and the dynamics of trematode populations and is unusual for a monograph of this type.

For final honours and first year postgraduate students.

Parasitic flatworms include Cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes, schistosomes, etc) and are the cause of a number of major diseases of medical and veterinary significance. Much recent research has focused on molecular biology and genomics. this book aims to review advances in our understanding of these and related topics such as flatworm biochemistry, immunology and physiology. Where appropriate, comparisons are made between different parasitic flatworms and between parasitic and free-living species. Contributors to the book include leading authorities from Europe, North and South America, and Australia.

When this historically significant volume was first published in 1968, the detailed study of the Trematoda had been neglected in Britain. Dawes' aim in this book was to make available in English information that will enable students, teachers, and research workers to identify the trematode parasites of representative animals from the European fauna.

Digenetic trematodes constitute a major helminth group that parasitize humans and animals, and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The diseases caused by trematodes have been neglected for years, especially as compared with other parasitic diseases. However, the geographical limits and the populations at risk are currently expanding and changing in relation to factors such as growing international markets, improved transportation systems, and demographic changes. This has led to a growing international interest in trematode infections, although factors such as the difficulties entailed in the diagnosis, the complexity of human and agricultural practices, the lack of assessments of the economic costs or the limited number of effective drugs are preventing the development of control measures of these diseases in humans and livestock. In-depth studies are needed to clarify the current epidemiology of these helminth infections and to identify new and specific targets for both effective diagnosis and treatments. The main goal of this book is to present the major trematodes and their corresponding diseases in the framework of modern parasitology, considering matters such as the application of novel techniques and analysis of data in the context of host-parasite interactions and to show applications of new techniques and concepts for the studies on digenetic trematodes. This is an ideal book for parasitologists, microbiologists, zoologists, immunologists, professional of public health workers, clinicians and graduate and post-graduate students.

This text, in three volumes, presents a detailed revision of the systematics and taxonomy of the platyhelminth class Trematoda, subclasses Aspidogastrea and Digenea. These parasites attack animals and humans and have a great economic impact.