This book, the last in a series of eight proceedings volumes, presents an up-to-date overview on immunology and inflammation based on a congress held in Budapest, Hungary in April 1998. It is divided into the following sections: Basic Mechanisms, Endo- and Exotoxins, Soluble Receptors, and Treatment Perspectives.

Basic Mechanisms

Complement and Inflammation
Role of Phospholipases A2 in Inflammation
Acivation of NF-?B by Inflammatory Cytokines
Interaction of the Parasite Echinococcus granulosus with Host Innate Immunity
Endo- and Exotoxins and Soluble Receptors
Nitric Oxide, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Circulatory Shock
Intracellular Protein Modification and Signal Transduction in Response to Lipopolysaccharide
Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides: Chemical Constitution, Endotoxic Activity, and Biological Neutralization
Membrane-Damaging Toxins and Inflammation
Treatment Perspectives
The Interleukin-6 Family: Biological Function of the Soluble Receptors
IgE-Mediated Allergen Presentation via Fc?RI?? Complexes on Dendritic Antigen-Presenting Cells
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg)
Gene Therapeutic Strategies in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Pathology of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Molecular and Inflammatory Aspects.