Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 7th Edition

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.

The fully revised and updated seventh edition of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy is an essential guide to the principles of antimicrobial chemotherapy, the problem of resistance and its control through policies, antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance. The book provides an aid to informed, rational prescribing for common bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections.

Divided in five parts, the book cover issues specific to both the developed and developing world. Part 1 ‘General property of antimicrobial agents’ discusses mechanisms of action and resistance to antibacterial, antifungal antiprotozoal, antiviral, and antiviral agents. Part 2 ‘Resistance to antimicrobial agents’ provides guidance about the problem of resistance, mechanisms of acquired resistance and genetics of resistance. Part 3 ‘General principles of usage of antimicrobial agents’ analyses the use of the laboratory, general principles of the treatment of infection, dosing in special groups (extremes of age, pregnancy, obesity), safe prescribing, prophylaxis and the role of policies in antimicrobial stewardship. Part 4 ‘Therapeutic use of antimicrobial agents’ provides advice about the treatment of common infections which are described by anatomical. There are also chapters on the management of mycobacterial disease, viral infections, HIV/AIDS and parasitic infections. The final part of the book analyses the development and marketing of antimicrobial drugs.

This seventh 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.

Table of Contents

Part 1 General properties of antimicrobial agents
Chapter 1 Mechanisms of action and resistance to modern antibacterials, with a history of their development
Chapter 2 Inhibitors of bacterial cell wall synthesis
Chapter 3 Inhibitors of bacterial protein synthesis
Chapter 4 Synthetic antibacterial agents and miscellaneous antibiotics
Chapter 5 Antiviral agents
Chapter 6 Antiretroviral agents
Chapter 7 Drugs used in the treatment of viral hepatitis
Chapter 8 Antifungal agents
Chapter 9 Antiprotozoal and anthelminthic agents

Part 2 Resistance to antimicrobial agents
Chapter 10 The problem of resistance
Chapter 11 The genetics and mechanisms of acquired resistance

Part 3 General principles of usage of antimicrobial agents
Chapter 12 Laboratory investigations and the treatment of infection
Chapter 13 General principles of the treatment of infection
Chapter 14 Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles
Chapter 15 Prescribing in special groups: effects of age, pregnancy, body weight, and hepatic and renal impairment
Chapter 16 OPAT: outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy
Chapter 17 Adverse drug reactions, and patient safety
Chapter 18 Chemoprophylaxis and immunization
Chapter 19 Guidelines, formularies, and antimicrobial policies
Chapter 20 Antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance of antimicrobial consumption, and its consequences

Part 4 Therapeutic use of antimicrobial agents
Chapter 21 Respiratory tract infections
Chapter 22 Topical use of antimicrobial agents
Chapter 23 Urinary tract infections
Chapter 24 Sexually transmitted infections
Chapter 25 Gastrointestinal infections
Chapter 26 Serious bacterial bloodstream infections
Chapter 27 Bone and joint infections
Chapter 28 Infections of the central nervous system
Chapter 29 Skin and soft-tissue infections
Chapter 30 Tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases
Chapter 31 Infections in immunocompromised patients, including HIV/AIDS
Chapter 32 Viral infections
Chapter 33 Management of HIV infection
Chapter 34 Treatment of chronic viral hepatitis
Chapter 35 Parasitic disease
Chapter 36 The development and marketing of antimicrobial drugs
Appendix: Recommendations for Further Reading