The Microbial Challenge: Human-microbe Interactions

This accessible and fascinating book on human-microbe interactions is the perfect text for use in undergraduate science courses. Designed to help students better understand the biology of the microbial world and its effect on their lives, this timely volume covers issues of vital importance, including biological warfare and terrorism, antibiotic resistance, the global impact of microbial diseases, and immunization.

A hybrid of microbiology and public health, The Microbial Challenge emphasizes the significance of microbes in everyday living. Students are led to understand public health problems and are provided a greater awareness of disease on a global scale through an examination of microbial (infectious) diseases and their societal consequences, including descriptions of some of the major microbial diseases through the ages, efforts put forth to meet the challenges raised by microbes, and public health measures of protection and surveillance put in place to keep ever-challenging microbes at bay. The beneficial nature of microbes is also examined they are vital to the cycles of nature, play an important role in the food industry, and are significant tools in biological research.

Richly illustrated with many photos from the author's extensive personal collection taking during his numerous trips overseas, The Microbial Challenge is ideal for students not majoring in science, for allied health sciences courses, and for public health courses. It can also be used as supplementary reading in standard microbiology and other biology courses.

-- Chapter on biological warfare and bioterrorism

-- Presents material from a public health perspective

-- Covers both the beneficial andharmful aspects of microbes

-- Over 250 illustrations and photographs

-- Extensive glossary