Nutrition-Infection Interactions and Impacts on Human Health

Nutrition and infection are often at a crossroads, interacting with each other and influencing human health. Infection is a major health problem and nutritional deficiency plays a significant role in increasing the risk of infection. Nutrition–Infection Interactions and Impacts on Human Health presents state-of-the-art evidence on nutrition–infection interactions and their impact on health and disease.

The book explores a wide range of topics including the effects of infection on nutrition―a common occurrence in the developing world―and nutrient–infection interactions for specific infections including HIV, TB, malaria, and parasitic infections. These are reviewed with a special emphasis on nutritional interventions.

Also covered is the role of the gastrointestinal tract and its influence on nutrition, focusing on the human gastrointestinal microbiota, enteric syndromes, probiotics, and immunonutrients.

The book discusses infection–nutrition interactions in special age groups such as children, adolescents, and the elderly.

It also reviews emerging nutritional and anti-infective strategies with an emphasis on future research directions. The book is useful for epidemiologists, nutritionists, and health care staff caring for patients. The book’s broad scope allows for its applicability to both the developed and the developing world.

Mohan Pammi is assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and an attending neonatologist at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Pammi has significant interest in nutrition–infection interactions and immunonutrients including lactoferrin and probiotics. His laboratory researches novel strategies to prevent and treat Staphylococcus and Candida infections. He has published articles on basic and translational research on lactoferrin and has considerable experience in conducting systematic reviews for The Cochrane Collaboration.

Jesus Vallejo is professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Clinical Scientist Training Program at Baylor College of Medicine. He is a nationally known infectious disease specialist. His research focuses on the role of innate immunity in infections, particularly viral infections resulting in myocarditis.

Steven A. Abrams is professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and a neonatologist at Texas Children’s Hospital. He is also a faculty member at the Children’s Nutrition Research Center located at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Abrams is an internationally known neonatologist and nutrition expert and collaborates with researchers in Latin America, the Middle East, and India. He is a member of the Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has served on multiple Institute of Medicine committees.