Antimicrobial agents are essential for the treatment of life-threatening infections and for managing the burden of minor infections in the community. In addition, they play a key role in organ and bone marrow transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, artificial joint and heart valve surgery. Unlike other classes of medicines, they are vulnerable to resistance from mutations in target microorganisms, and their adverse effects may extend to other patients (increased risk ofcross-infection). As a consequence, there is a constant requirement for new agents, as well as practices that ensure the continued effective prescribing of licensed agents.Public awareness and concerns about drug resistant organisms has led to widespread publicity and political action in the UK, Europe and worldwide. The control of drug resistance and the implementation of good prescribing practice are now legal requirements in the UK as a result of the UK Health Act (2008). These fundamental changes underscore the need for a thorough understanding of the advantages and risks associated with specific antibiotic choices. This sixth edition of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy continues to be a valuable resource for undergraduates and graduates requiring a thorough grounding in the scientific basis and clinical application of these drugs. This new edition is updated to include the most recently licensed agents, notably in the treatment of viral infections including HIV/AIDS, and contains new guidance on prescribing practice and infection control practices that limit the development and spread of resistantorganisms.

Historical Introduction
Preface
1 Antimicrobial chemotherapy - the agents and their general properties
1. Inhibitors of bacterial cell wall synthesis
2. Inhibitors of bacterial protein synthesis
3. Synthetic antibacterial agents and miscellaneous antibiotics
4. Antivirals - an introduction
5. Antiviral drugs
6. Anti-HIV Agents
7. Antifungal agents
8. Antiprotozoal and anthelminthic agents
2 Antimicrobial chemotherapy - drug resistance, impact and control
9. The problem of resistance
10. The genetics and mechanisms of acquired resistance
11. Control of the spread of resistance
3 Antimicrobial chemotherapy - the science and practice of use
12. Laboratory investigations and the treatment of infection
13. General principles of the treatment of infection
14. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles
15. Prescribing in children and the elderly
16. Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Prescribing
17. Adverse drug reactions
18. Preventing infection - chemoprophylaxis and immunoprophylaxis (immunisation schedule)
19. Guidelines, formularies and antimicrobial policies
20. Antimicrobial stewardship and the multi-professional antimicrobial management team
4 Antimicrobial chemotherapy - their therapeutic use
21. Respiratory tract infections
22. Topical use of antimicrobial agents
23. Urinary tract infections
24. Sexually transmitted infections
25. Gastrointestinal infections
26. Serious blood stream infections
27. Infections of the bones and joints
28. Infections of the central nervous system
29. Infections of the skin and soft tissues
30. Tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases
31. Infections in the immunocompromised patient including HIV/AIDS
32. Viral infections
33. HIV infections
34. Viral hepatitis
35. Parasitic diseases
36. ostscript: the development and marketing of antimicrobial drugs