New Book Focuses On Diagnosing Infections In Immunocompromised Patients

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 12 Oct 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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Over the past twenty-five years, the number of patients with compromised immune systems has grown astronomically. High-risk patients such as these require a unique set of healthcare solutions that take into consideration everything from the etiology and degree of immune suppression to the individual patient's nutritional status. A new text from ASM Press, Diagnostic Microbiology of the Immunocompromised Host, examines a wide range of approaches and challenges to infectious disease diagnostics for immunocompromised patients.

"Certainly there are books containing information on clinical testing; however, no standard laboratory reference focuses heavily on issues unique to the immunocompromised population. It is the goal of the authors to consolidate such discussions in a single, easily referenced text that can be used by clinical healthcare providers and laboratory professionals alike," says co-editor Randall T. Hayden of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Other editors include Karen C. Carroll, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Yi-Wei Tang, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Donna M. Wolk, University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Divided into four sections, the book takes a multifaceted approach to the detection and characterization of infections encountered in this high-risk patient group. The first section provides a broad explanation of the causes of immune suppression, the populations at risk for infections, and the various kinds of infections. The next section addresses crucial laboratory diagnostic methods for individual pathogens, while the third section takes a more systematic perspective on the affected organs in immunocompromised patients. The volume concludes with a discussion of future trends in the field. The material is clearly summarized in practical, user-friendly procedures that can be applied to everyday patient care challenges.

"We hope this book will fill a void in many health care providers' libraries and contribute positively to the care of these increasingly complex patients. By sharing this information and working effectively together with a patient-focused approach, it is our hope that we can help face the challenges of providing optimal diagnostics services to the immunocompromised patients in our care," says Hayden.

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Diagnostic Microbiology of the Immunocompromised Host can be purchased through ASM Press online at http://estore.asm.org/ or through other online retailers.

ASM Press is the book publishing arm of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the oldest and largest single life science membership organization in the world. The ASM's mission is to promote research in the microbiological sciences and to assist communication between scientists, policy makers, and the public to improve health and foster economic well-being.

Source: Jim Sliwa
American Society for Microbiology

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