Ref: Paul O.  Leishmaniasis (TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SERIES) (Multimedia CD Review).  Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Book Reviews, 2006; Vol. 5, No. 1 (January - June 2006) ; Published January 1, 2006, (Accessed: 

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Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Book Reviews

Volume 5, Number 1, January - June 2006

Multimedia Review Section

(Page 1)

A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE ...A great job by Wellcome trust. The lucid way of presentation and helping pop ups provided alongwith and a glossary which explain all the medical terminology have made this CD informative not only for medical and paramedical professionals but also for a layman to understand the complexity of the disease. It was in fact a wonderful experience...

 Leishmaniasis (TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SERIES), Publication date 2000, © The Trustee of The Wellcome Trust, London 2000, Multimedia CD-ROM,

CABI Publishing, 10 East 40th Street, Suite 3203, New York, NY10016, USA, Tel: 44 (0) 1491 829255, E-mail: cabweb@cabi.org, [Also published by Wellcome Trust, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK. T +44 (0)20 7611 8888. F +44 (0)20 7611 8545], 10 East 40th Street, Suite 3203, New York, NY10016, USA, Tel: 44 (0) 1491 829255, E-mail: cabweb@cabi.org, 1 CD-ROM with booklet 9 pp. ISBN: 0 85199 370 2. Price: £120/$195 (Institutional); £30/$55 (Student/Individual); £45/$80 (Developing Country)

Contains 10 interactive tutorials (Overview, The parasite, Vectors and hosts, Immunology, Epidemiology, Prevention and control, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Diagnosis and Treatment) and a collection of approximately 800 images.

 Official site of this Multimedia: Click here to visit

Leishmaniasis, Multimedia CD

Once again a best seller from Topics in international health(TIH). Another flower in the flock. Hats off to this series who has brought a revolution in the field of multimedia tutorials. The software is very user friendly and is specially designed for covering topics related to medical field, it seems the designer is well aware of the intricacies which came into the mind of a medical student while studying. Use of pop ups at suitable places makes it more and more informative. Use of diagrams is a wonderful way to explain the phenomenon of spread even for a layman. It has been designed with a motive to cover more and more of a topic in least possible time while grabbing all important things in mind. The best part in this CD is its Images almost all images of all various clinical manifestations are given so there is no chance of skipping anything from mind.

Studying Leishmania was never easy for me due to the vastness, difficult terminology, and morosity of the subject. The topic is very vast due to its various clinical manifestations and involvement of a lot of systems of human body in one way or the other. It is an important disease due to its seriousness, associated morbidity and mortality, wide spectrum of clinical presentation, the complexity involved in the disease process and its global concerns. So, it deserves our considerable attention and research, moreover, no specific book can explain it in all aspects. Then Dr. Anil provided me this multimedia CD. I studied it and believe me it was again a real fun. There was no need of any further references as all the matter has been included in such a way that we can get everything in a small space and also in the most presentable way.

Whole of the subject matter has been divided into proper contexts. The CD covers all the relevant topics right from the very basic ones such as the parasite and vector biology upto more complicated ones such as management of disease. More sensitive topics such as prevention and control related to this disease have been given considerable weightage.

Whole of the subject matter has been divided into proper contexts. The CD covers all the relevant topics right from the very basic ones such as the parasite and vector biology upto more complicated ones such as management of disease. More sensitive topics such as prevention and control related to this disease have been given considerable weightage.

The topic has been divided in about ten sub- topics, the first one is an overview . A brief overview accurately gives an fair idea of what we are going to study. The next sub- topic is The Parasite and has been explained beautifully in 38 screens explaining each and every aspect of parasite biology, classification, life cycle of the parasite in sand fly, life cycle in vertebrate host and of course, the course of the disease, followed by a self assessment test and summary of whole the topic.

Under the next sub-topic vector and host with a span of 40 screens is the most important part as most of the competitive exams pick there questions from this area, the lucidity of the way of explaining the topic obviate the need of mnemonics as the subject tends to be retained directly into the long term memory. Difference between the old world and new born Leishmaniasis has been beautifully explained. It has been explained under headings Phlebotomine sand flies, reservoir systems and reservoir hosts. It explains the different stages involved in the life cycle of the parasite its signs and symptoms, most common presentations, there severity, the lab investigations required at that stage and their specificity and sensitivity, followed again by an assessment test and a summary. This section is really very informative and use of images of almost all clinically definable conditions have added to the charm.

The next sub-topic immunology is the one of the most informative and exciting part of the whole session and explains the involvement of immune systems in this disease with the use of interactive images, immunological basis for various modes of disease presentation that is cutaneous and visceral Leishmaniasis, Vaccines available for the disease and those under trials. Macrophage activation, Leishmania membrane structure, complement system activation, granuloma formation and outcome of whole into cutaneous and visceral disease have been beautifully explained and are dealt in detail. Some important and topics of recent interests like Leishmaniasis in a HIV patient have been dealt in detail and its immunology is really very informative. Leishmanin test its uses and immunological basis have also been explained.

Figure 1: One of the more than 800 illustrative pictures from this CD. This one shows Diffuse Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL)

Next in line is epidemiology , unlike always epidemiology is an interesting part of this C. D, use of bar graphs, pie charts and maps are added attractions in this portion and this section gives us an estimate of gravity of the condition and its global impact and the recent trends, it covers modes of transmission, epidemic pattern, regional and global consequences of the condition.

After this Prevention and control is covered over next 52 screens, I think it was the most lengthy part of whole tutorial, it explains in detail the various modalities of spread treatment options available for both type Leishmaniasis with the accurate dosage and side effects. A recent drug to be used in this infection MILTEFOSINE has also been explained giving indication that the information is up to date. Other topics explained under this headings are Vector Control. Personal protection, Control of reservoir hosts, Health Education, Monitoring and evaluation and lastly Control programmes have been dealt with utmost beauty.

Next in line is Cutaneous Leishmaniasis this topic is very informative and important clinically, it explains the whole disease clinically right from the etiology and epidemiology to its various types like simple, mucocutaneous, diffuse and leishmania decivans, their causative agents, there clinical feature, differentiation between new and old world leishmaniasis. The images provided are very informative and truly reflect the clinical condition involved.

A great job by Wellcome trust. The lucid way of presentation and helping pop ups provided along with and a glossary which explain all the medical terminology have made this CD informative not only for medical and paramedical professionals but also for a layman to understand the complexity of the disease. It was in fact a wonderful experience.

After that Visceral Leishmaniasis, its effects, etiology, pathogenesis, seriousness, variety of clinical manifestations, treatment modalities available, have been discussed in great detail. PKDL and co-infection with HIV are covered with great accuracy. Next Sub-topic is Diagnosis, it explains the mode and strategy acquired to treat a patient and the various diagnostic modalities along with their sensitivity and specificity.

Then various treatment modalities available have been described in detail starting right from the aims and objectives, various modalities available and serious topics like HIV and Leishmanisis and its management is described in details.

Quick revision notes and mind games at end of each subtopic are provided and you can check your knowledge and your attentiveness and never let you feel bored or tired and are provided just after covering that portion, quizzes and fill ups are really a wonderful way to make you learn the subject. Notepads with each sub-topics are provided to make notes.

A great job by Wellcome trust. The lucid way of presentation and helping pop ups provided alongwith and a glossary which explain all the medical terminology have made this CD informative not only for medical and paramedical professionals but also for a layman to understand the complexity of the disease.

It was in fact a wonderful experience.

System requirements

Installation:

For Ordering Information and enquiries contact:

TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SERIES

The Topics in International Health series is designed for use as an educational resource in tropical and international health. It is aimed at medical and life sciences students, their teachers, healthcare professionals, academics, and researchers.
There are 36 Video Clips for basic as well as advanced learning.
The series covers some of the most common causes of illness and mortality worldwide and aims to provide accessible high quality information. All the content of this CD is reviewed by experts in the relevant field.
Each CD-ROM provides three complementary resources: Interactive Tutorials, Image Collection, and Glossary.
1. The Interactive Tutorials provide a framework for self-directed learning. They are designed for use alone or in small groups. Each tutorial has clear learning objectives, self-assessment tests, references to encourage further reading and a summary to reinforce key points.
2. The Image Collection is a searchable database of photographic images and accompanying information. It can be used as a detailed reference source or to provide examples for practical exercises and lectures.
3. The Glossary is an electronic index which explains the medical and scientific terms used in the Tutorials and Image Collection. Each CD-ROM has its own subject-specific Glossary.
Topics in International Health Leishmaniasis, Wellcome Trust CD-ROM This CD-ROM provides a wealth of useful information on the biology, epidemology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of Leishmaniasis in an instructive and imaginative way. It would be very useful for training institutes or advanced students with access to computer facilities. Many images can be adapted for overheads for lectures or practical sessions.
Available from: CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8DE,UK.
Fax:+44 1491 826090 E-mail:publishing@cabi.org

-Omesh Paul Born on 5th August 1981 at Ferozepore, Punjab Dr. Omesh Paul is an intern at Govt. Medical College and hospital, Patiala and is well known for his strong analytical and writing skills and enterprising nature. His quest for knowledge came to light when at the tender age of 23 he conducted two researches - one on HIV awareness in District Patiala and the other one on utilization of immunization services at Rajindra hospital, Patiala. He was offered to write for ghostwriter publishers on medical literature. He is presently running two forums at website Fropper.com regarding consultancy. Regarding extracurricular activities he was reported in press widely for his first prize in Hasya kavi Sammelan and third prize in Extempore debate at a cultural event of all medical colleges of northern india"Euphoria-2000" at G.M.C&H-32 Chandigarh. He has won a silver medal in college sports too. Dr. Paul can be contacted by Clicking here.

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-Editor-in-Chief

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