The immunology as a subject gained its importance in last one or two decades. Virtually there has been an explosion of knowledge in the field of immunology. The explosion not only provides a greater understanding in the mechanism of elimination of infectious and non-infectious foreign invaders but also imparts enough knowledge about various immunopathological disorders. Presently the immuno-diagnostic measures serve a great purpose in diagnosis and monitoring the treatment of various diseases. The vaccines play important roles in preventing communicable diseases and reducing the morbidity and mortality.

As a teacher of immunology I had the privilege to delve into the minds of the undergraduate students as regard to their understanding of the subject of immunology and their application in various fields such as research, diagnosis and therapy. At undergraduate level, in India, students learn immunology as a part of microbiology. The various textbooks which are in use, spare a section for immunology. The chapter on immunology in textbook of microbiology lacks in certain essential aspects. In some books, though the information is sufficient and the language is lucid, the diagrammatic representations are not sufficient or poor or not up-to-date. On the other hand in some books, though the diagrams are better, the contents are so precise that they do not convey proper meaning. Very few books are complete in all aspects. We have made every effort to write in a lucid readable style with illustrative graphics and colored diagrams, without sacrificing the important details.

This book contains Chapters on the, “History of Immunology, Basic Immunology, Diagnostic Immunology, Immunopathological Disorders, Immunohematology, Transplantation Immunity Against Bacteria, Parasites, Viruses and Fungi. We felt the need of inclusion of host parasite relationship in our books as the students should have a basic knowledge about the determinants of pathogenicity before they study the immune response produced against them. This book would, thus, naturally span the curricula of medical, dental and other allied courses both basic and applied.8

It would have been impossible to be authoritative about every aspects of immunology. For this reason, we have consulted friends and colleagues with the relevant expertise to advise us and to those we owe our gratitude. Despite all our efforts, some omissions, and inadvertent errors might exist. In that case those may kindly be brought to our notice for supplementation or correction in subsequent edition.

We hope that the first edition of Textbook of Immunology will invite today's students to acquire a familiarity with immune system that will make them doctors, researchers and teachers.