Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract

In this comprehensive volume, leading international experts in gastroenterology and infectious diseases present current and critical information on the many infections of the gastrointestinal tract, in both adult and pediatric populations. The book exhaustively traces the historical and epidemiological aspects of these disorders, and presents in 11 major sections and nearly 100 chapters detailed discussions on diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control. After a review of gastrointestinal tract structure and physiology, the book discusses immunologic defenses against gastrointestinal pathogens. Chapters in the next two major sections of the book examine approaches to clinical gastrointestinal syndromes in both the immunocompetent and the immunocompromised host. Gastric infections such as Helicobacter pylori are covered in the next major section. Gastrointestinal agents of diarrheal disease, including bacterial and fungal infections, viral infections, and parasitic infections are addressed in the next series of chapters. The latter chapters focus on diagnostic considerations, including endoscopy and radiology; current effective therapy for gastrointestinal infections; and prevention and control. The text is enhanced by over 300 illustrations (including nearly 60 in full color) and over 200 clearly presented tables.