Microbial Resistance to Drugs (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology)

This volume serves as a reference source for those studying, investigating and teaching the use and development of antimicrobial agents. One of the principal objectives is to discuss resistance to antimicrobial agents emphasizing understanding mechanisms of resistance both at the fundamental and molecular level. At the same time the book tries to provide an overview of the plasmid basis of resistance, modern methods to detect resistance, a molecular approach to the epidemiology of resistance and adaptive processes used by microbes to persist in the presence of antibiotics. In many cases the clinical significance of resistance mechanisms has also been examined. Each chapter is written by acknowledged experts in their field, together they represent the most in depth presentation of our current understanding of mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance available today.