Microbiology in Clinical Practice

DC Shanson MB BS FRCPath
Emeritus Consultant Microbiologist, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. Formerly Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Medial Microbiology, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London. Consultant Microbiologist, Unilabs Clinical Trials International, London and New York.

REVIEWS FROM 2ND EDITION - 0 7506 2618 6 'Certainly a book to be recommended for an overview of clinical microbiology, unmatched by any comparable volume'. Journal of Pathology, 1990. 'This excellent book lives up to its title, and the publication of a revised second edition, seven years after the first, is to be welcomed'. The Journal of Clinical Pathology, 1990. 'The second edition of this volume is a welcome text for medical students and 'junior' medical microbiologists alike. It has a readable flowing text. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 1990. REVIEWS FROM 1ST EDITION 'This book will do much to promote understanding of the current problems in diagnosis and management of infection and deserves to be widely read and consulted by both clinical and laboratory staff.' The Lancet, 1982. 'Dr Shanson has taken full account of recent trends and has produced a book which will serve the needs of medical students, house staff and those studying for higher clinical examination'. Journal of Hospital Infection, 1982. 'Dr Shanson is to be congratulated on his initial foray into the field; the comprehensive and up-to-date aspects make his book a very attractive proposition'. Journal of Applied Bacteriology, 1983.

Those involved in the practical management of patients with suspected infection will be greatly aided by this up-to-date, comprehensive and concise textbook. The approach integrates the clinical and microbiological aspects of infections, and includes those caused by all types of microbial agents, ranging from viruses and bacteria to worms.

The main clinical features, causative organisms, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology and prevention are discussed in each of the sections, which are arranged mainly by body system to reflect directly the situation encountered in clinical practice. Most general topics such as PUO, septicaemia and opportunistic infections are also covered. Introductory chapters deal with basic microbiology, use of the laboratory and principles of antimicrobial chemotherapy.

The text for this third edition has been thoroughly revised and includes discussion of 'new' diseases, emerging pathogens and antibiotic resistance. In particular there is an additional chapter on molecular biology applications and an up-to-date review of AIDS. The antimicrobial drug sections of chapters now include important new antibiotics and other agents.

Microbiology in Clinical Practice is aimed primarily at junior hospital doctors and medical students training in pathology. It is a highly readable textbook for general practitioners, physicians and infection control nurses. Medical laboratory scientific officers/technicians should find much information which is of interest to them and which will help prepare them for professional examinations.

Contents: Classification and pathogenicity of microbes; Use of the microbiology laboratory - general principles; Applications of molecular biology; Antimicrobial chemotherapy - general principles; Pyrexia of undetermined origin (PUO); Septicaemia; Opportunistic infections; Obstetric, perinatal and neonatal infections; Infections in children; Anaerobic infections; Infections of the central nervous system; ENT and eye infections; Infections of the lower respiratory tract; Mycobacterial and actinomycete infections; Infections of the gastro-intestinal tract; Hepatic infections; Skin infections and infestations; Bone and joint infections; Infections of the heart; Infections of the urinary tract; Sexually transmitted diseases; AIDS and other diseases caused by retroviruses; Zoonoses; Arthropod-borne infections and viral haemorrhagic fevers; Worms (helminths); Hospital infection; Disinfection and sterilization.

Readership: Aimed primarily at junior hospital doctors and medical students training in pathology. Highly readable textbook for general practitioners, physicians and infection control nurses. Will help Medical laboratory scientific officers/technicians preparing for professional examinations.