Preface

The field of infectious diseases is rapidly evolving in response to challenges posed by the continuing increase in bacterial resistance. Practitioners should be up to date with recent data, novel approaches and top-notch practices. This book is not intended to be a review of the management of specific disease states, the purpose of the book is to raise awareness about selected topics that are recent and represent novel strides in the field. It is intended to be of appropriate length and depth to appeal to a wide basis readership.

The book is designed to address selected topics that are of importance in the practice of infectious diseases including updates and subject comprehensive compilation of data not covered in details elsewhere. The book will start by illustrating the global picture of resistance influencing antimicrobial use and therapeutic decisions, discussing possible reasons for the spread of resistance, possibly the use animal farming and agriculture, injudicious prescription patterns and other factors. The pharmacology and antibiotic classes will be discussed, emphasizing the new agents demonstrating advances, gaps to be covered and future targets. Given the paucity of antimicrobial pipelines, the role of pharmaceutical formulation with be discussed to demonstrate how innovative drug delivery methods can improve efficacy, safety and achieve targeted drug delivery. Alternative routes of administration (other than oral and intravenous) will be detailed as means of enhancing the penetration of antimicrobials to the site of action and improving clinical outcomes.

Understanding how pathogens develop resistance has a strong impact on the selection of therapeutic agents and addressing difficult to treat infections, three chapters will address the molecular basis of resistance in Gram-positive, -negative and fungi, respectively. Timely diagnosis and prescription of appropriate spectrum antibiotics are crucial to achieve positive clinical outcomes. The use of advanced technology to aid in rapid diagnosis will be the subject of chapter to explain the available tools and how to integrate them in clinical practice. A chapter will address the remaining therapeutic options for difficult to treat infections (case studies, animal research, in vitro models and expert opinion). The future of antimicrobial agents’ development, agents on the horizon and unmet medical needs will be elucidated. The next chapter will discuss the initiatives by organization, societies and authorities to combat antimicrobial resistance and rationale for the use of antibiotics. In light of limited data on the subject, understanding dosing principals in patients maintained on renal replacement therapy and ECMO (extracorporeal circuit) is an interesting and required topic. A chapter will address practice issues related to antimicrobial stewardship to raise awareness and foster collaboration and strengthen aspects of interprofessional education.

The target audience will include advanced medical, pharmacy and nursing students interested in infectious diseases, infectious diseases trainees (residents and fellows), infectious diseases practitioners and interested general practitioners. On behalf of all the chapter authors, we hope to spread the word to the clinicians and promote the best practices in the discipline of infectious diseases.