A state-of-the-art examination of research in this field and the impact of this gram-positive pathogen on human disease. * Provides coverage of topics in basic microbiology such as details of DNA transformation, molecular and medical epidemiology, the molecular basis of invasive disease, and various interactions with host defenses. * Presents important historical information on the field of pneumococcal research and suggests strategies for future investigation. * Serves as a valuable source of information for graduate and medical school students, infectious disease specialists, and field researchers in the pathogenesis of gram-positive bacteria.

Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia is a book in which chapters are authored and the same topics discussed by North American and European experts. This approach provides a unique opportunity to view the different perspectives and points of view on this subject. Severe CAP is a common clinical problem encountered in the ICU setting. This book reviews topics concerning the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of SCAP. The discussions on the role of alcohol in severe CAP and adjunctive therapies are important topics that further our understanding of this severe respiratory infection.

Streptococcus Pneumoniae: Molecular Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions provides a comprehensive overview of our existing knowledge on Streptococcus pneumoniae antibiotic resistance, dissemination, and pathogenesis, including immunology. It presents a state-of-the-art overview of the implications of existing data, along with the areas of research that are important for future insights into the molecular mechanisms of pneumococcal infections and how to combat these infections. Users will find a timely update on the topic, as the dramatic increase in antibiotic resistance pneumoniae cases and limitations of the currently available pneumoniae vaccines are creating new concerns on these gram-positive bacteria that are endowed with a high virulence potential, and are the most common etiologic agent of respiratory and life-threatening invasive diseases. - Provides an updated overview of our existing knowledge on Streptococcus pneumoniae antibiotic resistance, dissemination, and pathogenesis, including immunology - Helps strengthen interdisciplinary networking and the focus of scientific resources by targeting epidemiology, vaccines, genetics, antibiotic resistance, clonal dissemination, Streptococcus pneumoniae biology, functional genomics, inflammasome, biomarkers, and more - Multi-authored by leaders in the field who present a state-of-the-art overview of what the implications are of existing data, and the areas of research that are important for future insights into the molecular mechanisms of pneumococcal infections - Supports combinatory networking in order to find new solutions in clinical therapies - Reflects the most topical pneumococcal research trends

This is the third edition of this publication which contains the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures for all the vaccine preventable infectious diseases that may occur in the UK or in travellers going outside of the UK, particularly those immunisations that comprise the routine immunisation programme for all children from birth to adolescence. It is divided into two sections: the first section covers principles, practices and procedures, including issues of consent, contraindications, storage, distribution and disposal of vaccines, surveillance and monitoring, and the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme; the second section covers the range of different diseases and vaccines.

Viral respiratory tract infections are important and common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the past two decades, several novel viral respiratory infections have emerged with epidemic potential that threaten global health security. This Monograph aims to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome and other viral respiratory infections, including seasonal influenza, avian influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinovirus, through six chapters written by authoritative experts from around the globe.

Because of the high fatality rate of untreated pneumococcal pneumonia, both the disease and its principal cause, the pneumococcus, were objects of intense scrutiny by physicians and bacteriologists during the last two decades of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth. As a result, scientists learned much of the fundamental importance to microbiology, immunology, and genetics while developing the pneumococcal vaccine.