Infection Control in the ICU Environment provides the details of the most common infection control problems facing intensive care units. Authors include noted scientists, intensivists and epidemiologists from the United States and Europe as well as infection control experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Acinetobacter, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin resistant enterococci are examined in detail. This volume also includes cutting edge information regarding the potential for prophylactic and pre-emptive therapy of fungal infections...

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) continues to be one of the greatest challenges to critical care practitioners and one of the greatest threats to the survival of our patients. The choice of this topic for an issue of the PERSPECTIVES IN CRITICAL CARE INFECTIOUS DISEASES Series is therefore quite appropriate.
Despite its importance, many areas of the management of ventilator-associated pneumonia remain controversial. We therefore are pleased to include contributions from experts and investigators offering different perspectives on some of these controversial...

Fungal infections are an increasing problem in critically ill patients and these infections carry an attributable mortality that is much higher than corresponding bacterial infections. In both Europe and North America, Candida infections predominate and much of this book concentrates on the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of these infections. Particular reference is made to the cross-infection problems of Candida infection and the importance of infection control and preventative measures. However, other fungal infections are increasingly being seen in...

In the past, many tropical and parasitic infections were confined to tropical areas of the world located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. However, with the increase in air travel and tourism and the changing patterns of immigration, an increasing number of individuals are coming into contact with these infectious agents and transmission across the world has been enhanced.

Tropical and Parasitic Infections in the Intensive Care Unit provides an international perspective on this topic and an overview of those infections that may cause critical...

Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia is a book in which chapters are authored and the same topics discussed by North American and European experts. This approach provides a unique opportunity to view the different perspectives and points of view on this subject. Severe CAP is a common clinical problem encountered in the ICU setting. This book reviews topics concerning the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of SCAP. The discussions on the role of alcohol in severe CAP and adjunctive therapies are important topics that further our understanding of this severe respiratory infection.

Much research over the past 30 to 40 years has shown that the inflammatory response, while critical for host defense during microbial infection, may itself play a central role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Although key mediators responsible for this injury have been identified, efforts clinically to augment our conventional antimicrobial and supportive therapies during sepsis with agents modulating the inflammatory response have been unsuccessful. As a result, the mortality associated with this lethal syndrome, especially when complicated by shock, has remained persistently high....

Infectious Complications in Transplant Patients has been uniquely designed and formatted to address issues and trends pertaining to pathogens deemed important in critically ill transplant patients. The chapters have been carefully selected so as to direct the focus of the book towards current approaches to controversial, emerging or topical problems in these patients.
Each chapter has been authored by a North American and a European specialist. This format serves to impart an added dimension reflective of the diversity of opinions and practices pertaining to unresolved or...

Infection Control in the ICU Environment provides the details of the most common infection control problems facing intensive care units. Authors include noted scientists, intensivists and epidemiologists from the United States and Europe as well as infection control experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Acinetobacter, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin resistant enterococci are examined in detail. This volume also includes cutting edge information regarding the potential for prophylactic and pre-emptive therapy of fungal infections...

Infectious Complications in Transplant Patients has been uniquely designed and formatted to address issues and trends pertaining to pathogens deemed important in critically ill transplant patients. The chapters have been carefully selected so as to direct the focus of the book towards current approaches to controversial, emerging or topical problems in these patients.
Each chapter has been authored by a North American and a European specialist. This format serves to impart an added dimension reflective of the diversity of opinions and practices pertaining to unresolved or...

Much research over the past 30 to 40 years has shown that the inflammatory response, while critical for host defense during microbial infection, may itself play a central role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Although key mediators responsible for this injury have been identified, efforts clinically to augment our conventional antimicrobial and supportive therapies during sepsis with agents modulating the inflammatory response have been unsuccessful. As a result, the mortality associated with this lethal syndrome, especially when complicated by shock, has remained persistently high....