Expert contributions cover disorders, such as mastocytosis and respiratory and cutaneous allergy, which are known to be associated with these cells. The less well-known involvement of the latter in atherosclerosis and gastrointestinal, cardiac, rheumatic and neoplastic diseases is emerging as an area of considerable interest as several informative chapters show. Written by clinical investigators specialising in diseases related to mast cells and basophils, this volume will be stimulating reading for those working in allergy, immunology, biochemistry, and respiration.