As statedby theeditorin the preface, the purpose of thistext is to review "issuesin various aspects of antimicrobial resistance thatchallenge our ability to slowits inexorable progress, andhowwe can make the bestuseof theeffectiveness of currently available antimicrobials." Content: Three sectionsof the text focus on specificpathogens,includingcommunity-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,organisms that produce extended-spectrum~-I actamase, and bacterial pneumonia during influenzapandemics. Four of the sectionsfocus on resistance within the fluoroquinolone, antifungal,anthelmintic, and antiretroviral drug classes.Twoadditional sections focus uponlocationspecific concerns,including boththe outpatient and hospital health-care settings, and I section examines the costimplications associated withantimicrobial resistance. In general,each sectionprovides an overviewof the mechanisms of resistance, highlights the current limitations to pharmacologic treatment of resistant pathogens, reviews strategies for the prevention and controlof the spreadof resistant pathogens, and provides insight intothe future direction of research in theseareas. Usability: Overall, the text is compact, well organized,and easy to read.The text includes an index for easy identification of topics,as well as up-to-date reference lists. Highlights: Due to the multidimensional approach to the information included withineach section,this text would be of particularinterestto practitioners who desireantimicrobial stewardship withintheir practice or institution. Limitations: Because this text does not providea comprehensive review,but insteadprovides an overview of selected resistance issues,it is limitedin scope.Therefore, this text may be of limitedutility, particularly for those desiring an inclusivereview of resistant pathogens.While each section provides the reader witha thorough overview of the topic.a functional knowledge of infectious diseases and associated terminology is required. Comparison to Other Related Books: Other textbooks available on this topic, namely,AntimicrobialResistance:Problem Pathogensand Clinical Countermeasures, and Antimicrobial Drug Resistance (a 2-volume set), providecontent similar to that presented within this text, although it is much further expanded and inclusive of many more pathogens. Additionally, several generalinfectious disease textbooks include information related to antimicrobial resistanceamong additional topics. Reviewer's Summary: As stated withinthe book's text, "Antibiotic resistant bacteriaare a significant problemof public healthimportance, and are responsible for substantial morbidity, mortality, and cost." While• limited in scope,this text provides a multidimensional overview of some of the pressing issues in infectiousdisease today and would serve as a useful toolto thoseinterested inexpanding theirknowledge on thesespecifictopics.
