Main description:

The increase of immigrant population in developed countries (mainly in Europe and North America) together with an important increase of international travel worldwide are the two most important causes that have contributed to the introduction and diagnosis of imported/tropical infectious diseases in these countries. These factors have had an important impact in developed countries in both social and economic aspects. Imported Infectious Diseases focuses not only on describing the infections, but also in evaluating the current epidemiology, the economic and social impact and the possibility to apply immunization measures and vaccines. The main purpose of this book is to give an overview of the current most important and frequent imported infectious diseases in developed countries. The first chapter informs about the medical services that are being offered to the immigrants in the main developed countries depending on the legal situation. Following chapters describe the main surveillance systems for these kinds of diseases, mainly in Europe and North America. Finally, remaining chapters contain sections on epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Contents:

List of figures
List of tables
Acknowledgements
Preface
About the author
1: Introduction

Abstract
1.1 The real problem of the immigration phenomenon
1.2 Immigration health costs in developed countries
1.3 Health assistance in immigrants: comparison of several countries
1.4 Impact of immigration on infectious diseases in developed countries

2: Epidemiology of infectious diseases in immigrants

Abstract
2.1 Importance of immigration in the epidemiology of infectious diseases
2.2 Immigration patterns and infectious diseases
2.3 Current epidemiological data of the main imported infectious diseases in immigrants
2.4 Implications for public health research and intervention policies

3: Surveillance systems for tropical infectious diseases in developed countries

Abstract
3.1 Definition of surveillance
3.2 Local and regional surveillance systems
3.3 National Public Health Institutes
3.4 International public health surveillance systems
3.5 Information for disease prevention and control

4: Febrile syndrome in immigrants and travellers

Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Assessment of febrile syndrome in immigrants and returned travellers
4.3 Standardised diagnosis protocols

5: Diarrhoea syndrome

Abstract
5.1 Approach to acute diarrhoea in developing countries
5.2 Traveller's diarrhoea

6: Current status of malaria

Abstract
6.1 Disease and pathophysiology
6.2 Epidemiology of imported malaria
6.3 Biology and ecology of malaria
6.4 Clinical features of malaria
6.5 Diagnostic procedures
6.6 Prevention and prophylaxis: development of a malaria vaccine
6.7 Treatment of malaria

7: Filariasis

Abstract
7.1 Definition
7.2 Life cycle
7.3 Lymphatic filariasis
7.4 Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
7.5 Loiasis
7.6 Mansonellosis

8: Schistosomiasis (bilharziasis)

Abstract
8.1 The parasite and the disease
8.2 Epidemiology
8.3 Pathogenesis
8.4 Clinical features
8.5 Diagnosis
8.6 Treatment

9: Strongyloidiasis

Abstract
9.1 Definition
9.2 Epidemiology
9.3 Clinical features
9.4 Risk factors for hyperinfection and severe disease
9.5 Diagnosis
9.6 Treatment and monitoring
9.7 Prevention

10: Trypanosomiasis

Abstract
10.1 General description
10.2 African trypanosomiasis
10.3 American trypanosomiasis

11: Taeniasis and neurocysticercosis

Abstract
11.1 Taeniasis
11.2 Neurocysticercosis

12: HIV infection

Abstract
12.1 Initial outbreak
12.2 Current epidemiological status and mode of transmission
12.3 Viral structure and pathogenesis
12.4 Clinical manifestations
12.5 Diagnosis
12.6 Drug treatment
12.7 Prevention of HIV transmission

13: Syphilis

Abstract
13.1 Aetiology
13.2 Epidemiology
13.3 Natural history and clinical manifestations
13.4 Laboratory diagnosis
13.5 Treatment of syphilis
13.6 Follow-up examinations

14: Tuberculosis: the problem of multiresistance

Abstract
14.1 Definition and microbiology
14.2 Current epidemiology
14.3 Pathogenesis
14.4 Clinical manifestations
14.5 Diagnosis
14.6 Prevention and control
14.7 Treatment

15: Viral hepatitis

Abstract
15.1 Introduction: the global problem of infectious hepatitis
15.2 Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
15.3 Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
15.4 Hepatitis C virus (HCV)

16: Leishmaniasis

Abstract
16.1 Definition
16.2 Visceral leishmaniasis
16.3 Cutaneous leishmaniasis

17: Viral haemorrhagic fevers

Abstract
17.1 Definition and overall epidemiology
17.2 Yellow fever
17.3 Lassa fever
17.4 Marburg haemorrhagic fever
17.5 Ebola haemorrhagic fever
17.6 Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
17.7 Dengue
17.8 Rift Valley fever
17.9 Laboratory diagnosis
17.10 Prevention measures and control
17.11 Antiviral treatment

18: Arthropod-borne viruses affecting the central nervous system

Abstract
18.1 Definition and epidemiology
18.2 General diagnosis
18.3 Clinically relevant arthropod-borne viruses

19: Prophylaxis, immunisation and vaccination

Abstract
19.1 General considerations
19.2 Current status of selective vaccines

Index