This book systematically reviews and discusses recent studies and articles on the immunology of female genital tract tissue. The scope is broad, encompassing innate immune responses, adaptive (humoral and cell-mediated) immunity, the immunology of menstruation, the immunology of viral and bacterial infections, the immunology of normal and abnormal pregnancy, and immunological infertility. Throughout, tables and illustrations are judiciously used to facilitate understanding. Immunology of the Female Genital Tract will serve as an invaluable source of up-to-date information for all with an interest in this subject.

The motive to prepare this volume on antibiotics for the physician caring for women was based upon the editor's perception that the subject matter had never been fully developed for the obstetrician-gynecologist. Most textbooks of infectious disease have a small section devoted to antibiotics, which has little relevance for the physician caring for post-operative or post-partum infections. Basic antibiotic pharmacology is described and there is a reflex prohibition of antibiotics for the pregnant woman. Correctly, the reader assumes that the authors themselves do not care for women with bacterial infections of the pelvis. Recent texts in infectious disease in obstetrics gynecology have been little better. Although the focus has been more clini cally oriented, space requirements have too often kept the discussions at a superficial level. A total focus upon antibiotics in this volume eliminates the restraints of space in prior publications. The greatest reward in my task as editor of this volume is related to the quality of the individual authors. They range from former students, to con temporary colleagues, to respected peers in infectious disease. Since the quality of this volume is related to the sum total of the individual chapters, I wish to comment about each of the contributors. Philip Mead from the University of Vermont is an old friend, who brings to the question of prophylactic antibiotics, his wide clinical experience and encyclopedic knowledge."

Vulvovaginal Infections presents new knowledge to help clinicians accurately diagnose and treat their patients and highlights for researchers remaining unsolved problems and the most promising areas for continued investigation. Clinical gynecologists will find practical advice and extensive insight into solving real-life clinical scenarios. The book opens by presenting information on the microbiology of the vagina and vaginal immunology. It then discusses the diagnosis of vulvovaginal disease, including physical examination, screening processes, and laboratory testing. Diagnosis is followed by covering various vulvovaginal infections including bacterial vaginosis, Candida vulvovaginitis, Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis, genital herpes, human papillomavirus genital infections, allergic vulvovaginitis, menopausal vulvovaginitis, cytolytic vaginosis, aerobic vaginitis, and more. For each of these conditions, the book presents information on its background, microbiology, immunology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Therapy details are provided with an emphasis on nuances that can be applied to women who fail to respond to medication prescribed or who respond and then become symptomatic once treatment has ended. This new edition discusses major advances in the characterization of endogenous microbiota that populate the genital tract in women of all ages. It also provides a more sophisticated appreciation of immune mechanisms found in the healthy female genital tract and alterations that increase both susceptibility and consequences of various infectious and noninfectious disorders. A major impetus for writing this new edition is to help the busy clinician, resident, or fellow by explaining advances in individual disorders in a manner that is relevant to their practice.