Spotlighting the recent development of antimicrobial molecules with immunomodulatory properties, this unique reference presents a detailed description of natural antimicrobial host defenses and elucidates how anti-infectious agents modulate the various effectors involved in combating environmental pathogens. The book reveals how Cefodizime (the only antibacterial drug to modulate the immune system in multiple ways) restores some impaired defense systems of the body, complementing its antibiotic activity.Investigating the biochemical interactions between antimicrobial agents and the immune system, „Host Defense and Infection“ discusses innate versus specific immunity; delineates the phagocytic destruction of pathogens and other functions of phagocytes; examines cell effectors involved in nonspecific immune defenses, including natural and lymphocyte activated killer cells and mast cells; analyzes the complement system of proteins that work to eliminate microorganisms and other antigens from tissues and blood; considers various immune deficiencies and their infectious consequences; covers the functional and chronobiological rhythms of immune defense; and, summarizes important concepts of antimicrobial defense in numerous tables and schematic diagrams and more!