Organised by organism and then by disease this comprehensive reference provides contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic information on bacterial and viral infections of the female genital tract.

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death globally, particularly among children and young adults. The spread of new pathogens and the threat of antimicrobial resistance pose particular challenges in combating these diseases. Major Infectious Diseases identifies feasible, cost-effective packages of interventions and strategies across delivery platforms to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, malaria, adult febrile illness, viral hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases. The volume emphasizes the need to effectively address emerging antimicrobial resistance, strengthen health systems, and increase access to care. The attainable goals are to reduce incidence, develop innovative approaches, and optimize existing tools in resource-constrained settings.

In obstetrics and gynecology, as in other medical disciplines, great satisfaction comes from doing, but a greater satisfaction comes from knowing. The desire to know raises clinical practice to its highest level. This principle guided us in determining the objectives for this volume. Several standard textbooks of obstetrics and gynecology include information about infectious problems. Infectious Diseases in the Female Patient is unique in that it emphasizes primarily the basic science as pects of infections in obstetrics and gynecology. Although providing a practitioner's handbook was not our goal, the reader nevertheless will find discussions of the management of infections in the female pa tient. The continued growth of knowledge about infectious disease en countered in obstetrics and gynecology has come from many sources: bacteriology, virology, genetics, immunology, biochemistry, physiol ogy, and pharmacology. Insights from all these disciplines contribute to the conceptual framework of this volume. Many of the authors who contributed to this text are leaders in their respective areas of research and bring to the book a diversity of ex pertise and experience. Controversial issues are developed in a bal anced fashion, and, in most cases, opposing views are discussed. Since medical texts usually are read piece-meal rather than cover to cover, we have allowed some overlap between chapters. The slight degree of redundancy allows each chapter to stand on its own, so that the reader may obtain the necessary information from a single chapter.

Thoroughly updated and now featuring more than 100 full-color illustrations, the Fifth Edition of this comprehensive reference provides current, complete diagnostic and therapeutic information on infectious diseases of the female genital tract. This edition includes new chapters on human papillomavirus and the new vaccines and on infection as a cause of neonatal brain damage. The book emphasizes an evidence-based approach to recommendations and presents current guidelines for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. The presentation of material has been streamlined to produce a smaller, more user-friendly text, and the format has been modified to include additional algorithms and tables. A companion Website will offer the fully searchable text and an image bank.

Infectious diseases are important worldwide causes of both morbidity and mortality in women. Of particular concern are sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and HPV-associated diseases. The articles in this issue review the latest research findings about infections in women and also provide practical clinical information to aid in patient care.