The new Fourth Edition of Bacterial Infections of Humans reflects a decade of important discoveries, technological progress, and valuable new therapies as well as emerging and reemerging infections, resistant strains of bacteria, and threats of bioterrorism. It offers accessible, up-to-date information across the range of disease entities. As in previous editions, introductory chapters review general concepts of infection and epidemiology, and the chapters devoted to specific infections follow a consistent and highly useful format: historical background, methodology (diagnosis and pathology), biology, descriptive epidemiology, mechanism and routes of transmission, pathogenesis, host responses, methods of prevention and control, and areas for future research. All material has been thoroughly updated, and two chapters on molecular epidemiology and health care-acquired bacterial infections, are entirely new. A sampling of the 40 diseases and clinical syndromes covered in the Fourth Edition: Anthrax Bacterial foodborne disease Chlamydia E. coli Legionellosis Meningitis Q fever Tuberculosis Bacterial Infections of Humans has been noted for ably complementing textbooks on the subject, and this most current edition remains a major reference for professionals in the field, including public health practitioners, microbiologists, immunologists, researchers studying pathogenic bacteria, clinicians working with infectious disease, and medical or nursing students.