Opportunistic, intracellular bacterial infections are in the forefront of research today because of the challenges they present to the immunocompromised patient. In this volume, the pathogenesis and immune reaction of these intracellular infections is featured, as are the most typical problems related to antimicrobial chemotherapy, and current approaches to their solution. Notable chapters set the pace for research on the pathogenic and immune reactions to such infections as

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Legionella pneumophila
• ...

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a bacteria that is most commonly known for causing colds and pneumonia. However, researchers have recently found a link between C. pneumoniae and atherosclerosis, a clogging of the arteries that causes heart attack and stroke. In addition, ongoing research is showing that certain strains may play a role in asthma, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and arthritis.

This volume, part of the Infectious Agents and Pathogenesis series, is a complete portrait of C. pneumoniae and what is currently...

Biomedical scientists widely acknowledge that individuals' immune respon- siveness is important in resistance to infections by microorganisms, including fungi. Because of the devastating acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, caused by the human immunodeficiency retrovirus, it is now accepted that suppressed immune responses, especially cellular immu- nity, are important contributors to increased individual susceptibility to opportunistic infections-including infections caused by fungi which were at one time thought to be very lowly or nonpathogenic. Within the last few years,...