Challenging infections in pregnancy: a multiparametric approach

This review is intended to cover basic microbiology germane to the diagnosis and understanding of infection, and combine this with microbiologically orientated aspects of clinical skills and pertinent history taking. These parameters, together with appropriate laboratory tests, can help the clinician spot infection early, and point towards the identification of the underlying causative agent. A review of antimicrobials, the place of immunoglobulin and other adjunctive therapies completes the multiparametric and pragmatic approach to diagnosis and management of serious infection in pregnancy.