Book Review

Clinical Management of Infections in Immunocompromised Infants and Children

N Engl J Med 2001; 345:625August 23, 2001

Article

Clinical Management of Infections in Immunocompromised Infants and Children
Edited by Christian C. Patrick. 654 pp. Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001. $120. ISBN: 0-7817-1718-3

In 1992, Patrick edited a comprehensive textbook (Infections in Immunocompromised Infants and Children, Philadelphia, Churchill Livingstone). It contained a wealth of information in 56 chapters, spread over 850 pages. Clinical Management of Infections in Immunocompromised Infants and Children is similar to the earlier book but is more focused on clinical issues. It deals with the management of immunodeficiency states associated with prematurity, congenital immune deficiencies, and chemotherapy-associated immunosuppression in patients undergoing treatment for leukemia and lymphoma or organ transplantation. Other chapters take up the secondary disorders of host defense often seen in sickle cell disease, chronic renal failure, cystic fibrosis, malnutrition, asplenia, and burns. The book also includes a section on the sinopulmonary, enteric, central nervous system, and dermatologic manifestations of infections in immunocompromised patients. It also includes interesting chapters on childhood immunization and the use of antibiotics and immunomodulators in immunodeficient patients.

This excellent book is well written and clearly focused on clinical management. Several chapters include simplified management guidelines and algorithms for developing logical treatment plans. The reader will find them helpful as quick references during bedside care. The chapters on immunomodulators and antibiotic therapy provide relevant and up-to-date information on some of the new treatments for severe infections in immunocompromised patients. Overall, this is an excellent book and should be valuable to pediatricians, immunologists, hematologists, and oncologists involved in the care of immunocompromised patients with infections.

Pearay L. Ogra, M.D.
Children's Hospital, Buffalo, NY 14222