Management Of Infections In The Immunocompromised Host

This book provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of the concepts vital to a modern treatment of common and opportunistic infections in the immunocompromised host. Chapters are written by experts in the field, and include their views on gaps in the field and future directions of research. This book begins with an overview of the normally functioning immune system followed by a detailed discussion of the major primary immunodeficiencies. Specific chapters are dedicated to providing practical knowledge in the prevention and treatment of infections in specific immunocompromised patients, including those with cancer, transplant recipients, HIV infection, and autoimmune disorders. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic evaluation, antimicrobial selection that includes consideration of the threat of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, and immunotherapy tailored to specific patients. Finally, dedicated chapters on stem cell transplantation for patients with primary immunodeficiencies, adoptive cellular immunotherapy, and gene therapy will provide readers with insight into these rapidly evolving and cutting edge therapies.Management of Infections in the Immunocompromised Host is a valuable resource for infectious diseases specialists, immunologists, oncologists, hematologists, general physicians, students, researchers, and all other working with immunocompromised patients.

There is an increasing number of immunocompromised patients across a widening range of specialities in medicine. Patients with underlying malignancy, as well as transplant patients, are now living longer in a vulnerable immune state. Previously, patients were only seen by small specialist transplant, haematology, or oncology teams. Modern techniques mean that patients undergoing care in many specialities such as dermatology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, and acute general medicine, are being immunosuppressed to modify their underlying disease, and treated directly by their own specialists. The most pressing problems that these patients suffer from are usually related to fever and infection. The Oxford Specialist Handbook of Infection in the Immunocompromised Host is a comprehensive guide for medical staff caring for immunocompromised patients in a hospital setting. Divided into three sections, it is the ideal source for clear, up-to-date information needed on the ward. The book starts with a background of the field, followed by a section that provides a 'host', or patient-centred, approach to presentations in different immunocompromised states. It discusses the assessment, investigation, and management of clinical syndromes in patients with primary immunodeficiency, HIV infection, immunodeficiency as a result of therapeutic immunosuppression, haematological and solid organ malignancy, and immunodeficiency related to organ transplant. In addition, it covers medical conditions resulting in defective immunity, such as diabetes, mellitus, and chronic renal failure, and provides information on travel in the immunocompromised host. The third section provides a pathogen-centred approach to the investigation and management of viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections of particular relevance to the immunocompromised host. Combining hospital and laboratory guidelines with recent research, the Oxford Specialist Handbook of Infection in the Immunocompromised Host highlights the importance of diagnoses and empirical treatments. Ideal for medical staff working in infectious diseases, ITU, haematology and oncology, transplants, HIV/GUM, rheumatology, and general medicine, it also considers the diagnostic dilemmas encountered in a clinical setting. This handbook is also a valuable resource for when preparing for the UK SCE examinations in these topics, and the MRCP.

his volume is the ideal reference for house staff dealing with immunocompromised infants and children. A major section provides comprehensive coverage of infections associated with specific immunodeficient entities, such as AIDS, leukemia/lymphoma, and transplantations. Another section focuses on infections at specific anatomic locations. Chapters in these sections discuss pathophysiology, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, and treatment, and include clinical pearls and dosing tables where applicable. The concluding section covers immunizations, prevention of infection, antimicrobial agents, and immunomodulators

The subject matter of this volume, the basis for which was a conference held in Philadelphia which focused on the subject of infections, including their diagnosis and treatment, in immunocompromised individuals. The material is of particular importance today when placed against the background of the rapid spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The first section dealt with the general subject of the immunocompromised host. Here, reviewed in detail, were the epidemiological and clinical aspects of opportunistic infections in patients with defective immune responses. It is widely acknowledged that infections are a major complication of the neoplastic process. Cancer-bearing patients are more prone to certain kinds of infectious and cancer chemotherapy almost always increases susceptibility to such infections. Depending upon the basic disease process of the cancer, a specific array of infectious diseases can be predicted. Patients altered in thymus-derived lymphocyte populations or mononuclear phagocyte capabilities resulting in defects in cell mediated immunity or delayed hypersensitivity become highly susceptible to certain groups of organisms, whereas, profoundly neutropenic patients usually become infected with different organisms. The types of infections noted are relatively predictable for the type of immune defect, with some variations according to epidemiological factors. Major advances have been made in the early diagnosis and treatment of infectious complications with increasingly effective antimicrobial agents and increasing knowledge of their use. The application of so-called preventive procedures has had limited value to date, including immunotherapy, which appears to hold much promise.

Antimicrobial agents are essential for the treatment of life-threatening infections and for managing the burden of minor infections in the community. In addition, they play a key role in organ and bone marrow transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, artificial joint and heart valve surgery. Unlike other classes of medicines, they are vulnerable to resistance from mutations in target microorganisms, and their adverse effects may extend to other patients (increased risk of cross-infection). As a consequence, there is a constant requirement for new agents, as well as practices that ensure the continued effective prescribing of licensed agents. Public awareness and concerns about drug resistant organisms has led to widespread publicity and political action in the UK, Europe and worldwide. The control of drug resistance and the implementation of good prescribing practice are now legal requirements in the UK as a result of the UK Health Act (2008). These fundamental changes underscore the need for a thorough understanding of the advantages and risks associated with specific antibiotic choices. This sixth edition of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy continues to be a valuable resource for undergraduates and graduates requiring a thorough grounding in the scientific basis and clinical application of these drugs. This new edition is updated to include the most recently licensed agents, notably in the treatment of viral infections including HIV/AIDS, and contains new guidance on prescribing practice and infection control practices that limit the development and spread of resistant organisms.

The immuno-compromised patient is more susceptible to a broader range of infections than others, and infections of the respiratory tract are among the first and most common to be encountered. In this book the authors review current options for management for a group of patients that present unique challenges to the clinician, and for whom the choices of effective therapy are often limited. Most up to date book available dedicated specifically to this topic Major management issue in respiratory medicine for critical care, transplant and cancer patients Reviews important new advances in therapeutics, including drug resistance

Infections in the Immunosuppressed Patient offers an illustrated, case-based matrix for treatment of infections across all types of immunosuppressed patients. As the challenges of managing these infections continues to evolve, this collection offers lucid, authoritative guidance to diagnosing and treating these infections effectively. Comprising 81 cases from leading experts across specialties, this collection offers a guide to both common and uncommon presentations of infections in: · Cancer patients · Solid-organ transplant recipients · Stem-cell recipients · Patients on immunosuppressive drugs · Patients with other immunosuppressive conditions Supplemented with rich color illustrations and insights from more than 100 experts, Infections in the Immunosuppressed Patient is the new benchmark reference work for treatment of these difficult cases.

Infection control is one of the major challenges of medicine in the future. The management of infectious diseases adds a substantial burden to the overall health care cost worldwide. Therefore, the prevention of infection is important, especially in view of the increasing number of patients with impaired host defenses due to serious underlying diseases like cancer and HIV infection, who are prone to a multitude of opportunistic infections. In developing countries, even more people are at risk of infectious diseases, and resoures are limited. This book covers important aspects of infection control in patients with hematologic disorders, with HIV infection and in patients in developing countries.