Sherris Medical Microbiology, Eighth Edition

Book excerpt: The most dynamic, comprehensive, and student-friendly text on the nature of microorganisms and the fascinating processes they employ in producing infections disease A Doody’s Core Title For more than a quarter-of-a-century, no other text has explained the link between microbiology and human disease states better than Sherris Medical Microbiology. Through a vibrant, engaging approach, this classic gives readers a solid grasp of the significance of etiologic agents, the pathogenic processes, epidemiology, and the basis of therapy for infectious diseases. Part I opens with a chapter that explains the nature of infection and the infectious agents at the level of a general reader. The following four chapters give more detail on the immunologic, diagnostic, and epidemiologic nature of infection with minimal detail about the agents themselves. Parts II through V form the core of the text with chapters on the major viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases, and each begins with its own chapters on basic biology, pathogenesis, and antimicrobial agents. Chapters that simply and clearly describe the strains of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that can bring about infectious diseases Explanations of host-parasite relationship, dynamics of infection, and host response A clinical case with USMLE-style questions concludes each chapter on the major viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases All tables, photographs, and illustrations are in full color Clinical Capsules cover the essence of the disease(s) caused by major pathogens Margin Notes highlight key points within a paragraph to facilitate review In addition to the chapter-ending case questions, a collection of 100 practice questions is also included STUDENT-DRIVEN STUDY AIDS Study aids are the product of a Student Advisory Group Boxed narrative OVERVIEW opening each disease-oriented chapter or major section, Highlighted MARGINAL NOTES judged to be “high yield” for Step 1 preparation Bulleted lists of KEY CONCLUSIONS at the end of major sections. A THINK ➔ APPLY feature randomly inserts thought-provoking questions into the body of the text, which are answered at the bottom of the page. These new features are explained in detail and illustrated on pages iv and v. The back of the book includes two more review tools: o Infectious Diseases: Syndromes and Etiologies is a set of tables that brings together the infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites) discussed separately in Parts II through V as probable causes of the major infection syndromes (pneumonia, arthritis, diarrhea, etc. o 100 Practice Questions are in USMLE format and in addition to the ones at the end of earlier chapters.