Pneumonia (along with influenza) is the sixth leading cause of death in adults. About 4 million adults develop pneumonia each year in the US, resulting in 64 million days of restricted activity, 39 million days of bed confinement, and 10 million days of lost work. Yet the admission rates to hospital, length of stay, investigations, antimicrobial therapy and prevention strategies vary greatly from one geographic area to the next, and the scientific basis for many of our management strategies for pneumonia is weak to nonexistent. There are over 100 microbial agents that can cause pneumonia and many of these, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group A streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus, are in a state of flux in terms of changing antimicrobial resistance. This book is designed to provide new information about pneumonia and identify critical research questions that will come to the fore as we enter the 21st century.

This fascinating book describes the history, and epidemiology in both man and animals, and clinical features of this zoonosis. It reveals detailed information pertaining to the basic science aspects of the interaction of Coxiella burnetii, the etiologic agent of Q (Query) fever, with the host and the immune response of the host to this unique pathogen. This one-of-a-kind work uses the rules of epidemiological evidence to determine whether or not Coxiella burnetii is a perinatal pathogen for man. This interesting, easy-to-understand text concludes with chapters dealing with the antibiotic susceptibility of Coxiella burnetii and the studies that resulted in a vaccine that now can be used to prevent this infection. This volume is an absolute must for all microbiologists, respirologists, infectious disease physicians and veterinarians.

Pneumonia (along with influenza) is the sixth leading cause of death in adults. About 4 million adults develop pneumonia each year in the US, resulting in 64 million days of restricted activity, 39 million days of bed confinement, and 10 million days of lost work. Yet the admission rates to hospital, length of stay, investigations, antimicrobial therapy and prevention strategies vary greatly from one geographic area to the next, and the scientific basis for many of our management strategies for pneumonia is weak to nonexistent. There are over 100 microbial agents that can cause pneumonia and many of these, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group A streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus, are in a state of flux in terms of changing antimicrobial resistance. This book is designed to provide new information about pneumonia and identify critical research questions that will come to the fore as we enter the 21st century.