Essentials of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Second Edition

Book Preface

We have been gratifi ed by the popularity of the fi rst edition of The Essentials of    Clin ica lInfectious Diseases. It has been more than fi ve years since the fi rst edition of this bookpresented readers with the essential aspects of the subspecialty infectious diseases. Thepopular reception of the book and the rapid expansion of medical knowledge call for anew edition to assist readers through this medical transformation—from a demystifi edwonder to a commonplace tool in medical education.This edition (a) provides technica

l corrections, updates, and clarifi cations in all45 chapters of the original book; (  b) adds six new chapter topics; (c) includes newdevelopments that are consistent with the published peer-reviewed medical literature,published relevant clinical practice guidelines, and updated bibliographical referencesat the end of each chapter; and (d) elucidates subtle issues that readers and reviewershave found perplexing, objectionable, or in need of elaboration.Our main audience remains the students and medical providers in training.However, information within this book evolved from prior formal didactic lectures or bedside clinical teaching on clinical infectious diseases, microbiology, and antimicrobial pharmacology that was delivered to help students, residents, fellows, and primary care physicians. Current basic science and clinical concepts regarding each relevant infectious disease topic are still written as a synoptic account to make these topics clear and practical for the readers of this text. Teachers who have taught from this book before should fi nd the revised edition more lucid and palatable. We continue to adhere wherever possible to a standard pattern of description that aims to defi ne the topic; provide an introduction that would include classifi cation, pathophysiology, and epidemiologic information; list relevant causative microorganisms; describe the clinical aspects and approach to the topic with the physical examination and relevant laboratory methods, diagnostic imaging, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. This updated essentials text also includes new chapters that readers will hopefully fi nd useful beyond the basic clinical syndromes: introduction to clinical reasoning and statistics, introduction to antimicrobial stewardship, and basic approach to travel medicine.While medicine continues to evolve and the amount of knowledge a learner must retain may seem daunting, knowing basic concepts can make the approach to a patient with a possible infection an easy and exciting task. Although this text is arranged by certain infectious disease topics, patients typically present with a constellation of symptoms and signs. Knowing basic concepts, therefore, can help clinicians arrive at the diagnosis of the disease causing the patient’s symptoms and signs. This process (clinical problem solving) begins by a discussion with the patient of the chronology of events associated with the symptoms or signs experienced as well as asking appropriate relevant questions. Additionally, a complete physical examination is then performed for diagnostic clues that then lead to the formulation of the most appropriate differential diagnosis that is based on an understanding of these basic concepts. Based on the initial discussion and examination, appropriate laboratory or imaging tests are ordered to support or refute the diagnostic considerations. The goal of this text is to help guide the reader through the diagnostic evaluation as well as the process of caring for the patient with an infection.The editor and contributing authors have collaborated to prepare chapters consistent with the peer-reviewed published medical literature, published clinical practice guidelines and their teaching, clinical, and research activities. Each chapter concludes with important medical references that may also include reference to a “classic” article regarding the infectious disease topic that can be utilized by the reader as additional reading. Through this text the authors strive enthusiastically to impart to readers a solid fundamental knowledge and approach to clinical infectious diseases that will sustain them adequately in their chosen medical professional career.
William F. Wright, DO, MPH