Overview
Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is increasing at an alarming rate and presents an enormous global health challenge. Multi-drug resistance in particular is a major problem and severely compromises our ability to deal with infectious disease. The cost of the problem in terms of money, mortality and disability is also rising.
This book presents nine comprehensive and cutting-edge reviews on the current state of antimicrobial resistance. Special emphasis is placed on state-of-the-art research and the authors focus on novel approaches and new perspectives. Topics covered include new antibiotics, biofilm resistance, drug efflux, plasmid-mediated resistance, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, monitoring of resistance, predicting the evolution of new resistance, antibiotic cycling, and a review of the system for the discovery and development of novel antibiotics. The chapters are unified in theme, however each stands alone in conveying the author's individual perspectives on the issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Written by experts in the field of antimicrobial resistance this book is a major new resource for microbiologists, molecular biologists, researchers, epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists, medical practitioners, public health experts, and anyone interested in a review of the current research on antimicrobial resistance.
Synopsis
Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is increasing at an alarming rate and presents an enormous global health challenge. Multi-drug resistance in particular is a major problem and severely compromises our ability to deal with infectious disease. The cost of the problem in terms of money, mortality and disability is also rising.
This book presents nine comprehensive and cutting-edge reviews on the current state of antimicrobial resistance. Special emphasis is placed on state-of-the-art research and the authors focus on novel approaches and new perspectives. Topics covered include new antibiotics, biofilm resistance, drug efflux, plasmid-mediated resistance, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, monitoring of resistance, predicting the evolution of new resistance, antibiotic cycling, and a review of the system for the discovery and development of novel antibiotics. The chapters are unified in theme, however each stands alone in conveying the author's individual perspectives on the issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Written by experts in the field of antimicrobial resistance this book is a major new resource for microbiologists, molecular biologists, researchers, epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists, medical practitioners, public health experts, and anyone interested in a review of the current research on antimicrobial resistance.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Rebecca T. Horvat, PhD, D(ABMM)(University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description:This book provides a general look at antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens, examining the various reasons that infecting bacteria are difficult to treat.
Purpose:The purpose is to take a general look at antibiotic resistance. The variety of causes and effects are demonstrated with examples. This assemblage of knowledge about the mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics is needed to begin to address the alarming issue of treating resistant bacteria. The editor stresses the urgency of dealing with this issue and the consequences of entering into the post-antibiotic era that will soon be upon us.
Audience:This book would be useful for scientists, clinical microbiologists, pharmacists, and physicians, as well as individuals in regulatory agencies. The examples of mechanisms used by bacteria to resist antibiotics can lead to ideas and suggestions to assist in counteracting the increasing number of resistant pathogens.
Features:A variety of different topics are examined. The problem of drug efflux and multidrug resistant plasmids is presented in detail that indicates the complexity of these mechanisms. An interesting topic is the examination of biofilms produced by bacteria. These complex structures are used to protect the bacteria from environmental stress, including antimicrobial agents. These chapters are followed by several that give examples of methods used to monitor antibiotic resistance in bacterial isolates and introduce the concept and practicality of antibiotic cycling in clinical practice. And finally there is an intriguing chapter on the social issues of drug discovery and testing. This is an issue that is seldom analyzed when discussing the development of antibiotic resistance. It is truly an intriguing concept that antibiotic resistance is not just the responsibility of medicine but also of society.
Assessment:This is a good solid book on the complex, multifactorial issue of antibiotic resistance. It is a review of specific issues regarding the causes of antibiotic resistance and some potential ideas and solutions.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Rebecca T. Horvat, PhD, D(ABMM)(University of Kansas Medical Center)Description: This book provides a general look at antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens, examining the various reasons that infecting bacteria are difficult to treat.
Purpose: The purpose is to take a general look at antibiotic resistance. The variety of causes and effects are demonstrated with examples. This assemblage of knowledge about the mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics is needed to begin to address the alarming issue of treating resistant bacteria. The editor stresses the urgency of dealing with this issue and the consequences of entering into the post-antibiotic era that will soon be upon us.
Audience: This book would be useful for scientists, clinical microbiologists, pharmacists, and physicians, as well as individuals in regulatory agencies. The examples of mechanisms used by bacteria to resist antibiotics can lead to ideas and suggestions to assist in counteracting the increasing number of resistant pathogens.
Features: A variety of different topics are examined. The problem of drug efflux and multidrug resistant plasmids is presented in detail that indicates the complexity of these mechanisms. An interesting topic is the examination of biofilms produced by bacteria. These complex structures are used to protect the bacteria from environmental stress, including antimicrobial agents. These chapters are followed by several that give examples of methods used to monitor antibiotic resistance in bacterial isolates and introduce the concept and practicality of antibiotic cycling in clinical practice. And finally there is an intriguing chapter on the social issues of drug discovery and testing. This is an issue that is seldom analyzed when discussing the development of antibiotic resistance. It is truly an intriguing concept that antibiotic resistance is not just the responsibility of medicine but also of society.
Assessment: This is a good solid book on the complex, multifactorial issue of antibiotic resistance. It is a review of specific issues regarding the causes of antibiotic resistance and some potential ideas and solutions.