Preface

I am delighted to present this book, *Immunology of the GI Tract - Recent Advances*, an interesting and relatively little-known topic in which notable advances have been made in recent decades.

The 13 chapters, written by experienced and knowledgeable international authors, are arranged in four sections. In Section 1, concerning structure and function, after the Introductory Chapter, Prof. Rossi in chapter 2 and Thifhelimbilu E. Luvhengo and Mwangala Nalisa in chapter 3 detail the cellular components and diverse functions of the GI tract.

Contributions to Section 2 by Dr. Pircalabiouru et al. and Dr. Canali et al. describe the composition of the human microbiome and the role of different types of diet in its maintenance. A chapter by Dr. Darmadi and Riska Habriel Ruslie is devoted to Helicobacter Pylori infection, which appears with great frequency worldwide, especially in developing countries and has important clinical implications such as the development of gastroduodenal ulcers and gastric cancer. Prevention and precise eradication with a combination of special antibiotics and IBPs in high doses are discussed.

Section 3 examines the relationship of intestinal microbiota with various diseases. Ph.D. Student Kazempour deals with their influence on the development of autoimmune and neurological diseases, Dr. Basu et al. discuss their possible relationship with the development of malignant tumors of the gall bladder, Dr. Isabel Comino et al. look at the influence of microbiota on celiac disease and its treatment, and Dr. Reunanen et al. consider their importance in relation to the development of inflammatory bowel disease and its associated complications.

The three chapters of Section 4 develop the theme of the importance of immunology in relation to autoimmune diseases of the digestive system. Dr. Kumar et al. describe the role of molecular changes in the presentation and development of these dieseases. In the other two chapters, Dr. Yalcin et al. describe in detail the appearance, evolution, and complications of five autoimmune diseases of the digestive tract: achalasia, eosinophilic esophagitis, autoimmune atrophic gastritis, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.I would like to cordially thank all the authors for their excellent and comprehensive contributions, without which the completion of this book would not have been possible.

Finally, I want to express my sincere thanks to Ms. Karla Skuliber for her continuous collaboration and editorial assistance, and to IntechOpen Books for their excellent editorial work.

**Luis Rodrigo, MD**

**1**

Section 1

Immune System - Structure

and Function

Professor of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain Section 1
