Medical Microbiology: with STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 7e

Book Preface

Medical microbiology can be a bewildering field to the novice. We are faced with many questions when learning microbiology: How do I learn all the names? Which infectious agents cause which diseases? Why? When? Who is at risk? Is there a treatment? However, all these concerns can be reduced to one essential question: What information do I need to know that will help me understand how to diagnose and treat an infected patient?

Certainly, there are a number of theories about what a student needs to know and how to teach it, which supposedly validates the plethora of microbiology textbooks that have flooded the bookstores in recent years. Although we do not claim to have the one right approach to teaching medical microbiology (there is truly no one perfect approach to medical education), we have founded the revisions of this textbook on our experience gained through years of teaching medical students, residents, and infectious disease fellows as well as on the work devoted to the six previous editions. We have tried to present the basic concepts of medical microbiology clearly and succinctly in a manner that addresses different types of learners. The text is written in a straightforward manner with, it is hoped, uncomplicated explanations of difficult concepts. Details are summarized in tabular format rather than in lengthy text, and there are colorful illustrations for the visual learner. Clinical Cases provide the relevance that puts reality into the basic science. Important points are emphasized in boxes to aid students, especially in their review; and the study questions, including Clinical Cases, address relevant aspects of each chapter. Each section begins with a chapter that summarizes microbial diseases, and this also provides review material.

Our understanding of microbiology and immunology is rapidly expanding with new and exciting discoveries in all areas. Expansion of knowledge could also lead to expansion of the book. We used our experience as authors and teachers to choose the most important information and explanations for inclusion in this textbook. Each chapter has been carefully updated and expanded to include new, medically relevant discoveries. In each of these chapters, we have attempted to present the material that we believe will help the student gain a clear understanding of the significance of the individual microbes and their diseases.

With each edition of Medical Microbiology we refine and update our presentation. There are many changes to the seventh edition, including a reorganization of the chapters. The book starts with a general introduction to microbiology, the techniques used by microbiologists and immunologists, and then the immunology section. The immunology section has been extensively updated and reorganized. The immune cells and tissues are introduced, followed by an enhanced chapter on innate immunity, and updated chapters on antigen-specific immunity, antimicrobial immunity, and vaccines. The sections on bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites have also been reorganized. Each section is introduced by the relevant basic science chapters and then the specific microbial disease summary chapter before proceeding into descriptions of the individual microbes, “the bug parade.” As in previous editions, there are many summary boxes, tables, clinical photographs, and original clinical cases. Clinical Cases are included because we believe students will find them particularly interesting and instructive and they are a very efficient way to present this complex subject. Each chapter in the “bug parade” is introduced by relevant questions to excite students and orient them as they explore the chapter. Finally, students are provided with access to the Student Consult website, which provides links to additional reference materials, clinical photographs, and answers to the introductory and summary questions of each chapter. A very important feature on the website is access to more than 200 practice exam questions that will help students assess their mastery of the subject matter and prepare for their course and Licensure exams. In essence, this edition provides an understandable text, details, questions, examples, and a review book all in one.