В этом году исполняется 20 лет книге А.Н. Маянского «Патогенетическая микробиология».

For a book to remain in demand for a long time and provide practical benefit to successive generations, it must first and foremost be readable. Reading specialized literature should spark interest, encourage a broader grasp of the subject matter, and promote reflection, analysis, and the search for new knowledge. The idea for writing this book arose as a reaction to the curious situations that Andrey Nikolayevich frequently encountered during examinations. He wanted to create not merely a textbook, but a "textbook of microbial life," founded on both fundamental scientific concepts and engaging facts and true stories. "Discussions intended for the inquisitive reader possessing basic knowledge in microbiology, immunology, and biochemistry" — this is how the author himself characterizes his 515-page work, written in the form of essays.

The chapter titles are fairly conventional (Apoptosis, Pneumococcus, Salmonellae, etc.), but the epigraphs chosen for them are exceptionally well-selected. The section on bacterial pathogenicity begins with Aristotle's philosophical assertion: "Possible impossibilities should be preferred to impossible possibilities." A quote from A. Fleming — "All living things must be protected" — precedes the analysis of anti-infectious immunity mechanisms. "Life is everywhere, but everywhere there are also enemies of life" — V.I. Vernadsky meant something entirely different, yet A.N. Mayansky used this phrase to describe aspects of mycology. And how aptly and wittily he applied Russian folk proverbs: "Not so frightening is a herd of beasts as a single evildoer" (about Staphylococcus aureus), "Do not fear the barking dog, but fear the silent one" (herpesvirus), "Every bird has its own mannerisms" (chlamydia), "Only become a sheep, and the wolves are ready" (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and so forth.

Based on the host–parasite relationship dynamics, the book analyzes the properties of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that contribute to the development of microbial diseases. Pathogenetic Microbiology is the result of the meticulous work of a man who devoted his entire life to science and teaching. It is a book that serves as a teacher, a guide into the world of knowledge.

And, of course, a few warm words about the author. Andrey Nikolayevich Mayansky (1940–2015) was a distinguished scientist in the fields of fundamental microbiology and immunology. He was a Doctor of Medical Sciences, a professor, and for a quarter of a century (25 years!) he headed the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at our university. He authored over 250 scientific works; his research became the basis for the production of immunobiological preparations widely used in practical medicine and scientific research.

A Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (RAEN), he served on the editorial boards of the Problem-Based Educational and Methodological Commission of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Problem Commission of the Interdepartmental Scientific Council of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (RAMS) on Immunology, the Great Medical Encyclopedia, and the journals Immunology, Cytokines and Inflammation, and Nizhny Novgorod Medical Journal. He was an active participant in national and international conferences, and over 50 dissertations were defended under his supervision.

Friends, colleagues, and numerous students remember Andrey Nikolayevich as a man deeply passionate about science, possessing extraordinary intellect and erudition. He generously shared his knowledge and vast experience. Formality was alien to the scholar; his speech was always lively and engaging. Students took great pleasure in attending A.N. Mayansky's lectures.

And in his books, the scientist remains true to himself — they present the results of painstaking, long-term research in an accessible, straightforward, and vivid style. They compel the reader to think, and that is the most essential skill a physician of any specialty must possess and exercise.