Perspectives on Critical Care Infectious Diseases – serie

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 illness.Charles Feldman, MB BCh., PhD, FRCP, FCP (SA) is a Professor of Pulmonology, Chief Physician and Head, Pulmonology Division of the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa.George Sarosi, MD is the Chief, Medical Service at Roudebush VA Medical Center and Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Much research since the 1960s and 1970s has shown that the inflammatory response, while critical for host defence 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. Unfortunately, during this same period of time, the incidence of sepsis has accelerated as other fields of medicine have relied increasingly on therapies that predispose to infection. While frustrating, overall this experience in the field of sepsis has not been without value. Most importantly, it has helped define on several different levels the complexity of the septic patient. Recognizing and addressing this complexity as discussed by each of the contributors to this volume may now provide new inroads into the treatment of sepsis.

Contributors. Introduction; J. Rello. 1. Management of Respiratory Failure in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia: North American Perspective; R.P. Dellinger. 2. Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia: Management of Respiratory Failure, European Perspective; M. Antonelli. 3. Approach to Severe Community Acquired Legionellosis: North American Perspective; K.V. Leeper Jr. 4. Approach to Severe Legionellosis: European Perspective; J. Roig, C. Domingo. 5. The Problem of Penicillin-Resistant Streptococcus Pneumoniae: European Perspective; E. Azoulay-Dupuis, et al. 6. The Role of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Community Acquired Pneumonia: North American Perspective; K.R. Flaherty, et al. 7. Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Initial Antibiotic Choices: European Perspective; S. Ewig, A. Torres. 8. The Role of Alcohol in Severe Pneumonia and Acute Lung Injury: North American Perspective; M. Moss. 9. The Role of Alcohol and Acute Lung Injury: South American Perspective; C. Feldman. 10. Adjunctive Therapies in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia: North American Perspective; S.J. Skerrett. 11. Adjunctive Therapies in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia: European Perspective; C. Monton, M. Ferrer.Index.

This volume provides details of the most common infection control problems facing intensive care units. Contributing authors include noted scientists, intensivists and epidemiologists from the US and Europe, as well as infection control experts from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Acinetobacter, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin resistant enterococci are examined in detail. The book also includes cutting-edge information regarding the potential for prophylactic and pre-emptive therapy of fungal infections in intensive care units. Innovations in vascular catheter care and prevention of bloodstream infections are discussed in this volume as well as up-to-date information in mathematical modelling to understand the epidemiology and control of infections in intensive care units.

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. Despite its importance, many areas of the management of ventilator-associated pneumonia remain controversial. This volume includes contributions from experts and investigators offering different perspectives on some of these controversial areas.

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 controversial issues.

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 critically ill patients. This book is designed to offer a European and North American perspective on each topic. There are many similarities in experience and clinical practice but also significant differences that, it is hoped, will stimulate further thought and study.

This book emphasizes controversies worldwide in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and pathogenesis of pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. By including both chapters written by European authors and chapters written by North American experts, the reader is ensured of receiving a broad spectrum of opinions on controversial topics. Special attention is paid to such topics as the diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa, scheduled antibiotic therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis, empiric therapy for febrile neurotropenic patients, combination versus single agent antibiotic therapy for severely ill patients, and alternatives to conventional antibiotic therapies.

Severe Infections Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa emphasizes controversies worldwide in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and pathogenesis of pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. By including both chapters written by European authors and chapters written by North American experts, the reader is ensured of receiving a broad spectrum of opinions on controversial topics. Special attention is paid to such topics as the diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by p. aeruginosa, scheduled antibiotic therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis, empiric therapy for febrile neurotropenic patients, combination vs. single agent antibiotic therapy for severely ill patients, and alternatives to conventional antibiotic therapies. This excellent overview of our current understanding of pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis will prove useful to clinicians and microbiologists around the globe.

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 in intensive care units.Innovations in vascular catheter care and prevention of bloodstream infections are discussed in this volume as well as the newest information in mathematical modeling to understand the epidemiology and control of infections in intensive care units.

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 areas.

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 controversial issues. The authors are recognized experts in their respective fields.

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. Unfortunately, during this same period of time, the incidence of sepsis has accelerated as other fields of medicine have relied increasingly on therapies that predispose to infection.While frustrating, overall this experience in the field of sepsis has not been without value. Most importantly, it has helped define on several different levels the complexity of the septic patient. Recognizing and addressing this complexity as discussed by each of the contributors to Evolving Concepts in Sepsis and Septic Shock may now provide new inroads into the treatment of sepsis.

Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia is a book in which chapters are authored and the same topics discussed by North American and European experts. 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.

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 illness.Charles Feldman, MB BCh., PhD, FRCP, FCP (SA) is a Professor of Pulmonology, Chief Physician and Head, Pulmonology Division of the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa.George Sarosi, MD is the Chief, Medical Service at Roudebush VA Medical Center and Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana.