ABSTRACT
Immunotoxicology is the discipline concerned with detecting and understanding the effect of xenobiotics on the immune system. More specifically, it can be defined as the study of the consequences of exposure to drugs, chemicals, or environmental agents on the structure and function of the immune system. These consequences may be either temporary or permanent. This chapter summarizes information and procedures relevant to the practicing toxicologist conducting preclinical safety studies in which the immune system is a potential target. Although every effort has been made to present this information in a readily accessible format, the review is by no means inclusive, and presumes in the reader a basic understanding of the immune system and the fundamentals of toxicology assessment.
