Epidemiology and Prevention of Infection in the Compromised Host

A useful approach to the study of infection in the immunocompromised host is to first consider what factors make such a patient a compromised host. Knowledge regarding the major compromising factors then allows one to focus on diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative measures specific for that patient’s specific infection risks. These dysfunctions of host-defense mechanisms or factors that predispose to infection are discussed together with the types of infections with which they are most commonly associated.