All you need to know about nematodes

The Biology of Nematodesedited by Donald L. Lee, Taylor & Francis, 2002. £120.00 (hbk) (635 pages)ISBN 0 415 27211 4Nematoda is the second, most diverse animal phylum, after Arthropoda. Free-living nematodes, abundant in the soil, are important as decomposers. Several plant parasitic nematodes cause diseases in economically important crops, and the animal parasitic nematodes are responsible for many animal and human infections worldwide. Because of the medical and veterinary importance of nematodes and their impact on plants, an extensive body of knowledge in the fields of developmental biology, biochemistry, physiology, immunology and molecular biology has emerged.The Biology of Nematodes is well-written and organized to include various aspects of nematode biology, comprising the most recent scientific data. This book has 24 chapters written by scientists with expertise in their subject areas. A detailed literature review in each chapter is useful as a source of reference. The book is a highly coordinated effort to provide reader with the most up-to-date information. There are several strengths in this book. Chapter 1 on systematics, delineates the past and present phylogenetic frameworks, and discusses about how the phylogenies translated into classifications. Chapters 2 and 3 present an excellent review of comparative, general nematode body-structure and life cycles. The inclusion of beautiful electron micrographs and cartoons make it easy to follow these chapters.Several key concepts of developmental biology were understood through studies using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. Current knowledge on embryology, developmental biology and the hatching process, and pattern differences between different nematodes was described. It was fascinating to learn about the host-stimulated mechanisms that restrict host ranges and hatching behavior to ensure nematode survival. The book also gives a detailed account of the feeding behavior of free-living and parasitic nematodes, metabolism, excretion–secretion mechanisms, neuromuscular organization, locomotion and behavior.Nematode survival involves strategies to synchronize the development of suitable conditions for growth, which are presented in detail. David Gems has elegantly summarized the advances made in the genetics of ageing. Immunology of nematode infections in Chapter 18 covers the specific immune responses against nematode infections. The description of the roles of cytokines, and differences in T helper cell subset expression, specific to nematode infections, helps the non-immunology reader to understand host responses with ease.Basic strategies of biological and chemical control of animal parasitic nematodes and anthelmintic resistance were well described. A succinct reference list of nematicidal drugs, their chemical structures and mechanisms of resistance to several anthelmintics is well documented.Entomopathogenic nematodes kill their insect hosts within 48 h because they possess pathogenic bacteria harmful to insects. Nobuyoshi Ishibashi discusses the use of these nematodes for biological control of insect pests of economically important crops. Novel molecular approaches to crop resistance against nematodes, epidemiology and the control of human nematode infections were covered in the last two chapters.Wolbachia spp. are unique, intracellular symbiotic bacteria in filarial nematodes. Antibiotic treatment of filarial nematodes to clear Wolbachia causes sterility, inhibition of larval development and impacts the viability of adult worms [1xA new approach to the treatment of filariasis. Taylor, M.J. and Hoerauf, A. Curr. Opin. Infect. Dis. 2001; 14: 727–731Crossref | PubMedSee all References][1]. A description of this new control strategy will be valuable in future editions of this book.This book provides ample information for easy reading and understanding of the subject, and the chapters were written for independent reading, but not intended for understanding the detailed parasitism and pathogenic mechanisms of nematodes. It is an excellent reference book, ideally suited for teachers, students of all levels and other academics, who seek knowledge on the nematodes.