European Respiratory Society Monograph, Vol. 75. 2017
ISBN (electronic): 978-1-84984-084-2
DOI: 10.1183/2312508X.erm7517

Pulmonary infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Adequate and timely treatment of these infections is therefore of vital importance, especially when considering the emerging problem of antimicrobial resistance. This Monograph provides a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the use of anti-infectives in lung diseases, with chapters covering community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia, exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease, pleural infections, and fungal diseases. Other chapters address antibiotic stewardship in the community and hospital settings, and the use of antibiotics in specific patient groups (e.g. critically ill and paediatric patients). Mechanisms of action and resistance, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic options (e.g. combination therapy, dosing and routes of administration), and the development of new drugs are also discussed.