This concise, beautifully illustrated book provides a convenient introduction to the basic science of medical microbiology and how this relates to clinical practice. Expanded from the prize-winning first edition to cover virology and parasitology in addition to bacteriology, this second editions explains the essentials of microbial infection and continues to provide a sound basis for developing logical diagnostic and management strategies, including the critical area of antibiotic usage. Section One focuses on the clinical with chapters centred around infections of the organ systems, while full coverage of the scientific aspects underpinning microbial disease follows in Section Two.

Section One: Clinical Aspects of Microbial Infection. Introduction to Clinical Microbiology. Anti-Infective Guidelines in the Hospital. The Clinical Microbiology Laboratory. Preventing Disease and Infection Control. Infections of the Blood. Infections of the Urinary Tract. Infections of the Respiratory Tract. Tuberculosis. Infections of the Liver including Viral Hepatitis. Infections of the Nervous System. Infections of the Skin, Soft Tissues, Bones and Joints. Infections in a Modern Society. Section Two: Scientific Basis of Microbial Infection. The Structure and Function of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell. The Classification of Bacteria, Fungi and Parasites. The Structure and Replication of Viruses. How Organisms Cause Disease. The Science of Anti-infective Agents and Resistance. Appendix One: Notifiable Diseases. Appendix Two: Key Point Summary of Organisms and Conditions.

Keith Struthers is a Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, Coventry, UK