36 Hospital infection, sterilization and disinfection Introduction Infections associated with healthcare settings are an increasingly complex issue Amassing sick people together under one roof has many advantages, but some disadvantages,…
30 Infections in the compromised host Introduction The human body has a complex system of protective mechanisms to prevent infection. This involves both the adaptive (cellular and humoral) immune system…
17 Pathologic consequences of infection Introduction Symptoms of infections are produced by the microorganisms or by the host’s immune responses Symptoms that appear rapidly after the acquisition of an infection…
18 Upper respiratory tract infections Introduction The mucociliary system and the flushing action of saliva are defences against upper respiratory tract infection The air we inhale contains millions of suspended…
14 Immune defences in action Introduction The barrier effects of the skin and mucous membranes and their adjuncts such as cilia have already been referred to (see Ch. 9). We…
34 Protecting the host vaccination Introduction Vaccines are one of the most effective public health tools. This chapter will review how vaccines work, and the vaccines in current use. However,…
24 Central nervous system infections Introduction Central nervous system infections are usually blood-borne or infectious agents invading via peripheral nerves The brain and spinal cord are protected from mechanical pressure…
28 Multisystem zoonoses Introduction Some multisystem infections in humans are animal diseases (i.e. zoonoses) In these infections, a non-human vertebrate host is the reservoir of infection and humans are involved…
32 Epidemiology and control of infectious diseases Introduction Epidemiology is defined as ‘The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations and the application…
16 Parasite survival strategies and persistent infections Introduction The most common infectious organisms have developed ‘answers’ to host defences So far, we have concentrated on the battery of mechanisms available…
