Herpes Simplex Virus
Herpes Simplex Virus Stuart P. Adler Herpes simplex virus (HSV), a common cause of morbidity among humans, has two distinct serotypes: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 primarily causes cold sores, with…
Varicella-Zoster Virus
Varicella-Zoster Virus John A. Zaia HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CURRENT SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM Varicella is a vesicular exanthema caused by primary infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and is commonly termed…
Influenza Viruses
Influenza Viruses William M. Valenti Influenza continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized and long-term care patients, particularly among the elderly and those with chronic…
Filamentous Fungi
Filamentous Fungi Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner John H. Rex Healthcare-associated infection by filamentous fungi was a minor issue for infection control until the frequency of these diseases began to increase in the…
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Barbara A. Brown-Elliott Richard J. Wallace Jr Although the existence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) was recognized over a century ago, the microorganisms were originally thought to be contaminants…
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis William R. Jarvis Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem. Worldwide, an estimated 8 million new cases occur each year and 2 million deaths are attributed to…
Clostridium Difficile
Clostridium Difficile Stuart Johnson Dale N. Gerding Clostridium difficile was identified as the etiologic agent of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) in 1978 (1,2) and is now recognized as the most…
Legionella
Legionella Janet E. Stout Angella M. Goetz Victor L. Yu HISTORY An explosive outbreak of community-acquired pneumonia occurred in July of 1976. The outbreak was among attendees of the American…
Nonfermentative Gram-Negative Bacilli
Nonfermentative Gram-Negative Bacilli Valentina Stosor Alan R. Hauser John P. Flaherty Nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli are a diverse array of microorganisms that have evolved in aquatic environments, have minimal growth requirements,…
