Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infections: Lessons from Around the World, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1996 Respiratory Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy Series

Infection of the lower respiratory tract is a major determinant of the course of cystic fibrosis. Although numerous efforts have been made to elucidate the specific mechanisms predisposing the respiratory mucosa of cystic fibrosis patients to infection, so far no clinically relevant procedures for completely effective prevention or control of infection have resulted. Hence, in dealing with infections in cystic fibrosis, we continue to rely mainly on antimicrobials. Antiinfective measures are inseparably correlated with microbiology, and the quality of antiinfec­ tive therapy directly reflects the quality of microbial monitoring. Vali­ dated guidelines for microbiologic testing and antiinfective use need to be developed and made available to all health providers and their cystic fibrosis patients. Several years ago, the editors cochaired a symposium at the Interna­ tional Congress of Chemotherapy on the Global Perspectives of Micro­ biological and Clinical Infectious Diseases in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. During this half-day symposium, the editors heard reports from several countries around the world with an alarming range of survival for patients with cystic fibrosis. This sent a dramatic message to us that the understanding of this disease, its diagnosis, management and prevention was different in various countries and that patients may be inconsistently served. That is how our journey began.

Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infections: General Aspects.- 1. Viral, Fungal and Atypical Bacterial Infections in Cystic Fibrosis.- 2. Pharmacokinetics of Antibacterials in Cystic Fibrosis.- 3. Antimicrobial Pharmacotoxicity.- 4. Microbial Resistance.- 5. Microbial Virulence and Pathogenesis in Cystic Fibrosis.- 6. Lung Transplantation.- Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infections: The International Perspective.- 7. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis-Related Pulmonary Infection in the United States.- 8. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Canada.- 9. Cystic Fibrosis in Latin America.- 10. Pulmonary Infections in Venezuelan Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.- 11. Pulmonary Infection in Cystic Fibrosis: The Australian Approach.- 12. Cystic Fibrosis in Japan.- 13. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Russia.- 14. Cystic Fibrosis in Israel: Clinical and Microbiological Aspects.- 15. The State of Cystic Fibrosis in Turkey.- 16. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Greece.- 17. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Italy.- 18. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Spain.- 19. Cystic Fibrosis in the Western Part of Germany: A General Review about Cystic Fibrosis Management.- 20. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in the Eastern Part of Germany: Patients’ Register and Clinical Research.- 21. Pulmonary Infection and its Management in Cystic Fibrosis Patients in the Czech Republic.- 22. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Hungary.- 23. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Denmark.- 24. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in The Netherlands.- 25. Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infections: The Swedish Experience.- 26. Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infections: The UK Experience.- 27. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Mexico.- 28. The General Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Infection in Uruguay.