The Antimicrobial Drugs

Antimicrobial drugs often seem bewildering and confusing because of the large number of drugs and diverse types of microorganisms against which they are used. To learn and understand the many aspects of these drugs and be able to administer appropriate chemotherapy, it is important to utilize reading materials that are organized, complete, and up to date. The Antimicrobial Drugs by Pratt and Fekety, a new version of the 1977 edition, is a textbook that includes these features. The book is divided into five parts. Part one, on the principles of antimicrobial therapy, deals with the determinants of the bacterial response to antimicrobial agents and the choice of antibiotic therapy both in office and hospital practice. Numerous charts and tables help to make the presentation clear and the referencing fast. The information is useful both for students making the transition between basic and clinical sciences and for practicing physicians desiring an overview of the current, recommended antibiotic regimens. Drugs employed in the treatment of bacterial infection are thoroughly discussed in part two. These drugs are, as much as possible, grouped into categories such as those that affect the cell wall, protein synthesis, or membrane permeability and antimetabolites. For each drug, the authors include not only the structure and mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, microbial susceptibility, and therapeutics, but also the biochemical and pathophysiological basis for the drug's toxicities, side effects, and hypersensitivity reactions. This type of organization is a logical one for the reader to follow, even though discussions are somewhat detailed. Illustrations, diagrams, and tables outlining minimum inhibitory concentrations, plasma concentrations and clearance, and dosages are frequently provided to complement the text. For still further consideration, extensive references are provided at the end of each chapter. The last three parts cover drugs employed in the treatment of fungal infections, parasitic diseases, and viral infections. Each part begins with a brief introduction to the life cycle of the microorganism. Then each drug is described in the same detail as the anti-bacterial drugs. Coverage of these last three topics is exceptionally thorough and extensive. The most impressive aspect of The Antimicrobial Drugs is its care in detailing so much information without sacrificing organization. The authors do an admirable job of presenting a large body of information in a very readable form. For some readers, such as practicing physicians or medical students, much of the book may be too detailed. It remains, however, a valuable reference for them and an authoritative resource for infectious disease specialists, clinical pharmacists, microbiologists, pharmacy students, and graduate students in pharmacology and microbiology.