At the beginning of the new millennium, it is opportune to raveling of the molecular pathways of impaired host - review what has been accomplished in the field of infec- fense mechanisms and the characterization of the genetic tious diseases during the last decades of the previous mutations involved, with the prospect of novel strategies century. The paradigm of the immunocompromised host for therapeutic interventions and possible corrective gene has taught much about the pathophysiology of infectious therapy. In this foreword, I will take a helicopter view of diseases, particularly with regard to immunological as- the various aspects of host defense mechanisms with pects of host defense. In the beginning, Robert Good special emphasis on genetic factors, because of their re- called immunodeficiency syndromes "experiments of na- vance for the course and outcome of infections. ture. " In the 1960s and subsequent decades, the clinical During life, there exist phases of age-related c- and immunological aspects of immune deficiencies were promised immune functions. After birth there is a phys- studied and adequate treatment attempted. A reflection of logical immune deficiency because the production of an- these developments were the three successful meetings on bodies commences slowly upon contact of the neonate these topics in Veldhoven, The Netherlands (1980), Stir- with microorganisms and upon vaccination.

Inhalt

Defects in Host Defense Mechanisms.- Mucocutaneous Infections in the Immunocompromised Host.- Clinical Approach to the Compromised Host with Fever and Pulmonary Infiltrates.- Central Nervous System Infection in the Immunocompromised Host.- Fungal Infections in the Immunocompromised Host.- Mycobacterial and Nocardial Diseases in the Compromised Host.- Pneumocystis carinii and Parasitic Infections in the Immunocompromised Host.- Viral Hepatitis in the Compromised Host.- The Herpesviruses.- Morbidity in Compromised Patients Related to Viruses Other than Herpes Group and Hepatitis Viruses.- Pathogenesis and Clinical Manifestations of HIV-1 Infection.- Infectious Complications in Children with Cancer and Children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.- Infections Complicating Congenital Immunodeficiency Syndromes.- Management of Infections in Leukemia and Lymphoma.- Infection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.- Infection in the Organ Transplant Recipient.- Surgical Aspects of Infection in the Compromised Host.