Preface; Contents; Introduction to the Earthworm Immune System; Coelomocytes (Leukocytes); Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity; Other Annelid Models: Leeches; Other Invertebrate Models; Mitogenic, Lectin and Cytokine-like Activities; Activities against Parasites; Summary and Perspectives; Bibliography of Edwin L. Cooper emphasizing on earthworms (1966-2002); Author Index
Summary
This volume first presents evidence for the earthworm's immune system; the results strongly suggest that certain molecules of the earthworm's immune system may be exploited as natural antibiotics - thus the biomedical applications