Infections and the Cardiovascular System

Infectious agents have been recognized to involve the heart and vascular system for well over a century. Traditional concepts and teachings of their involvement in the pathogenesis of disease have been by a few established mechanisms. Since the last decade of the 20th century there has been renewed interest in the medical and public media on infectious diseases affecting the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, through their relationship with the development of acceleration of atherosclerosis. This volume highlights and reviews new perspectives of infections on the cardiovascular system as never before. It is a truly valuable resource for scientists, researchers, residents, and fellows in the fields of infectious disease, cardiology, and microbiology.

"Over the past decade, a variety of infectious agents have been linked to the heart in a variety of new ways. These new links have ranged from traditional diseases such as infective endocarditis and rheumatic fever to the new and very exciting linked between a variety of chronic infectious agents and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the major cause of death in the Western world. Dr. Fong has organized this information in a way that is complete, concise, and easily accessible. Although the depth of discussion is adequate for specialists, both in infectious and cardiovascular diseases, enough background is provided such that even the generalist with a significant interest in this area will find this enjoyable and easy reading. The text is clear and understandable. Excellent tables and figures are included that make the important provided information easily accessible. References included are extensive and pertinent. I am certain that any scientist or physician who takes the time to read and study this textbook will be well prepared to address the important issues of infections as they relate to the heart, both from a scientific and clinical standpoint. It is without reservation that I highly endorse this excellent textbook to anyone interested in infectious diseases or diseases of the heart."
(Joseph B. Muhlestein, MD, Director of Cardiology Research, LDS Hospital)
"This text is systematic and comprehensive in covering all aspects of infections and the cardiovascular system. It is organized so that the reader with an interest in a particular infection or organism can easily find the appropriate chapter. This source material is not just reported but it is used to present a logical interpretation of knowledge in this field. Dr. Fong is a respected investigator of C. pneumoniae and atherosclerosis and his knowledge of the field both of what is known and what needs to be learned and how to go about it, is authoritative. His background strengthens and adds value to this text."
(J. Thomas Grayston, M.D, Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology, Adjunct Professor of Pathobiology and Emeritus Vice-President for Health Sciences, University of Washington)

Inhalt
Traditional Infections Affecting the Cardiovascular System.- New Insights and Updates for Established Entities.- Atherosclerosis and Inflammation.- Traditional Risk Factors and Newly Recognized Emerging Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease.- Effect of Infection on Lipoproteins and the Coagulation System.- Emerging Relationships of Infections and the Cardiovascular System.- Chlamydia pneumoniae and the Cardiovascular System.- Periodontal Disease and the Cardiovascular System.- Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus in Cardiovascular Disease.- Miscellaneous Infections and Atherosclerosis: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease.