This volume is the first-ever complete treatise on polymyxins and presents the most comprehensive and up-to-date reviews of all major research and clinical topics from chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, clinical use, to drug discovery. All chapters were written by internationally leading researchers and clinicians in the field. It is our wish that readers discover the importance of polymyxin structure in relation to the mechanisms of activity, resistance and toxicity. We emphasized that reliable analytic methods for polymyxins are critical when investigating their pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). The complicated dose definitions and different pharmacopoeial standards have already compromised the safe use of polymyxins in patients. Therefore, informed by the latest pharmacological information, scientifically-based dosing recommendations have been proposed for intravenous polymyxins. Considering the PK/PD limitations and potential development of resistance, polymyxin combinations are encouraged; however, the current literature has not shown definite microbiological benefits, possibly because most clinical studies to date overlooked key PK/PD principles. Nephrotoxicity is the major dose-limiting factor and it is imperative to elucidate the mechanisms and develop novel approaches to minimize polymyxin-associated toxicities. In addition, the anti-endotoxin effect of polymyxins supports their clinical use to treat Gram-negative sepsis. Fortunately, the discovery of new-generation polymyxins with wider therapeutic windows has benefited from the latest achievements in polymyxin research. This book provides extensive pharmacological information on polymyxins to infectious diseases clinicians, pharmacists, clinical microbiologists, antimicrobial pharmacologists, and pharmaceutical scientists, and is an essential read for those who aim to develop novel polymyxins and improve their clinical use as a last-line defense against Gram-negative 'superbugs'.

The two volumes included in Antimicrobial Drug Resistance, Second Edition is an updated, comprehensive and multidisciplinary reference covering the area of antimicrobial drug resistance in bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites from basic science, clinical, and epidemiological perspectives. This newly revised compendium reviews the most current research and development on drug resistance while still providing the information in the accessible format of the first edition. The first volume, Antimicrobial Drug Resistance: Mechanisms of Drug Resistance, is dedicated to the biological basis of drug resistance and effective avenues for drug development. With the emergence of more drug-resistant organisms, the approach to dealing with the drug resistance problem must include the research of different aspects of the mechanisms of bacterial resistance and the dissemination of resistance genes as well as research utilizing new genomic information. These approaches will permit the design of novel strategies to develop new antibiotics and preserve the effectiveness of those currently available. The second volume, Antimicrobial Drug Resistance: Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects, is devoted to the clinical aspects of drug resistance. Although there is evidence that restricted use of a specific antibiotic can be followed by a decrease in drug resistance to that agent, drug resistance control is not easily achieved. Thus, the infectious diseases physician requires input from the clinical microbiologist, antimicrobial stewardship personnel, and infection control specialist to make informed choices for the effective management of various strains of drug-resistant pathogens in individual patients. This 2-volume set is an important reference for students in microbiology, infectious diseases physicians, medical students, basic scientists, drug development researchers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and public health practitioners.

The two volumes included in Antimicrobial Drug Resistance, Second Edition is an updated, comprehensive and multidisciplinary reference covering the area of antimicrobial drug resistance in bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites from basic science, clinical, and epidemiological perspectives. This newly revised compendium reviews the most current research and development on drug resistance while still providing the information in the accessible format of the first edition. The first volume, Antimicrobial Drug Resistance: Mechanisms of Drug Resistance, is dedicated to the biological basis of drug resistance and effective avenues for drug development. With the emergence of more drug-resistant organisms, the approach to dealing with the drug resistance problem must include the research of different aspects of the mechanisms of bacterial resistance and the dissemination of resistance genes as well as research utilizing new genomic information. These approaches will permit the design of novel strategies to develop new antibiotics and preserve the effectiveness of those currently available. The second volume, Antimicrobial Drug Resistance: Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects, is devoted to the clinical aspects of drug resistance. Although there is evidence that restricted use of a specific antibiotic can be followed by a decrease in drug resistance to that agent, drug resistance control is not easily achieved. Thus, the infectious diseases physician requires input from the clinical microbiologist, antimicrobial stewardship personnel, and infection control specialist to make informed choices for the effective management of various strains of drug-resistant pathogens in individual patients. This 2-volume set is an important reference for students in microbiology, infectious diseases physicians, medical students, basic scientists, drug development researchers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and public health practitioners.

Clinics of North America Clinics of North America

Dr. Kaye and Dr. Dhor have assembled top experts to write about clinical management of infections in Part II of their two issues devoted to Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare. Articles in this issue are devoted to: CLABSI; UTI; Tuberculosis; Ventilator-Assisted Pneumonia; Surgical Site Infection; MRSA; VRE; Gram-Negative Bacilli; Fungal Infections; C. Difficile, and Emerging Infections including Ebola. Infectious Disease physicians and anyone in the hospital setting will find this issue very useful, as state-of-the-art clinical reviews provide clinical management on these common and emerging infections.

This issue of Medical Clinics of North America brings the physician up to date on the newest agents for antibacterial therapy.? New drugs are covered, as well as new approaches.? Topics include the newer fluoroquinolones; epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, and clinical management of pathogens resistant to antibacterial agents; current use for old antibacterial agents, including polymyxins, rifamycins, and aminoglycosides; topical antibacterial agents; newer beta-lactam antibiotics, including doripenem, ceftobiprole. ceftaroline, and cefepim; the use of antibacterial agents in renal failure; antibiotics for gram positive bacterial infections, including vancomycin, teicoplanin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, oxazolidinolones, daptomycin, telavancin, and ceftaroline; as well as macrolides, ketolides, and glycylcyclines, including azithromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, and tigecycline.

Dr. Kaye and Dr. Dhor have assembled top experts to write about clinical management of infections in Part II of their two issues devoted to Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare. Articles in this issue are devoted to: CLABSI; UTI; Tuberculosis; Ventilator-Assisted Pneumonia; Surgical Site Infection; MRSA; VRE; Gram-Negative Bacilli; Fungal Infections; C. Difficile, and Emerging Infections including Ebola. Infectious Disease physicians and anyone in the hospital setting will find this issue very useful, as state-of-the-art clinical reviews provide clinical management on these common and emerging infections.

Over the past several decades, "infection control? has become a rapidly growing multidisciplinary field of incredible importance with regard to the safety of patients and healthcare workers, regulation and accreditation of healthcare facilities, and finances. The focus of this field has increasingly turned to prevention rather than control of hospital-acquired infections. This issue will bring the infectious disease specialist up to date on important topics such as hand hygiene, sterilization, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic stewardship, and specific infections of particular concern.

Dr. Kaye and Dr. Dhor have assembled top experts to write about facility planning and management in Part I of their two issues devoted to Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare. Articles in this issue are devoted to: Building a Successful Infection Control Program: Key Components, Processes and Economics; Hand Hygiene Sterilization; High Level Disinfection and Environmental Cleaning; Environement of Care; Infection Control in Alternative Healthcare Settings (Long Term Care and Ambulatory); Antibiotic Stewardship; Outbreak Investigations Water Safety in Healthcare/Legionella in the Healthcare Setting; Construction and Renovation; Bloodborne and Body Fluid Exposures - prevention and management of Occupational Health Issues; and Informatics and Statistics in Infection Control. Part II is devoted to clinical management of infections.