by Eino Elias Hakalehto (Editor)

This book describes the issues of human health and healthcare from the point of view of hygiene monitoring and maintenance. Also, the perspectives on the effects of microbial cell structures, metabolism, communities and interactions on health and hygiene are included. Besides microbiological screening of patients, surfaces, air space etc. this book introduces some key bacteriological, virological and fungal risks in the clinical setting. It describes routes of contamination inside hospitals, and into our body. The means for prevention of the spreading of unwanted microbes are presented as well. Protection mechanisms of the bodily system and the balances of the human microbiome are discussed with respect to intrusions via the respiratory or digestive systems or damaged skin. The risks during operations or invasive treatments are highlighted, together with means for avoiding them.

Examples of biofilm formation on the devices or on the body surfaces, latent infections, contagion mechanisms, as well as prevalent risks such as mycobacterial infections, antibiotic resistant strains, intracellular pathogens, nosocomial viruses, lowered host defenses, Clostridium difficle, salmonellas, legionellas are included in the chapters of this book. Important developments such as personalized medicine, point-of-care diagnostics, arthroscopy, improved drug delivery, pre- and probiotic treatments, monitoring of the normal flora and its beneficial effects are also discussed.

Metabolic interactions and molecular communication between man and the microbes, and the contributions to our nutrition of these often symbiotic phenomena, have a profound impact on our health. Misdirected functions are potential causes of pathogenesis, whereas microbiological balances such as BIB (Bacteriological Intestinal Balance), dualistic duodenal balance between various enterobacterial species, volatile signal effects, and different attachment functions, can also protect us and are broadly introduced in the book.

Increased transmission of microbial strains due to high population density, pollution, trade, traveling, crisis situations, epidemics and emerging infections strain the healthcare system. Combined effects of the infections with other diseases are noteworthy. For example, in oncological wards for sick children, the microbiological risks can be potent hazards as the tumors are constituting for the weakened patients. Modern and innovative tools for the detection of and understanding on the related risks are needed for coping with the challenging situations often complicated by the spreading of the antibiotic resistant microbial variants as well as the emerging risks of new or multiple infections.

This is the first book in a series, which also includes parts focusing on food, industrial and environmental hygiene. Unhealthy living conditions often have adverse effects on our microbiological and general heath, and the near environment. These conditions and their consequences are met daily during clinical work worldwide. There the microbes contribute in good and bad ways to our individual and population health profiles. (Imprint: Nova Biomedical)

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