Bacteria, fungi and parasites that are transmissible from mother to baby

In a pregnant woman, infection can have grave consequences for the foetus or new-born baby. Such infections are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in young children, and certain pathogenic situations are probably still underestimated or not recognized at all.
This book gives a very comprehensive review of current knowledge about the infectious diseases that can be passed on to the unborn baby by its mother, and covers all the bacteria, fungi and parasites that commonly cause such infections.
For each disease, there are sections on epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment (both preventive and curative).
Above and beyond the most widely publicized infectious problems (listeriosis and toxoplasmosis), also analysed in this book are many other microorganisms which are recognized as commonly causing maternofetal infections (e.g. Escherichia coli K1 and Group B streptococci), others which are emerging (e.g. the causative agents of Q fever and of Lyme disease), and some which are barely known.
This important, indispensable book also gives the latest news on recent advances and outlines perspectives for the future. It will familiarize anyone with an interest in the topic—obstetricians, general practitioners, laboratory personnel and care providers in general—with the important aspects of the problem, and thereby help in the prevention and management of these potentially devastating infections which are so often avoidable.