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Received 10 April 2000; revised 19 May 2000; accepted for publication 24 May 2000

Book Review

Microbial Pathogenesis: a Principles-Orientated Approach Bruce A. McClane and Timothy A. Mietzner (editors) and John N. Dowling and Bruce A. Phillips (co- editors). Madison: Fence Creek Publishing, 2000. xii + 485~~. Price E15.95. ISBN l-889325-27-9.

Microbial Pathogenesis is designed as a course supple- ment for first- and second-year medical students. The paper-backed volume is divided into 29 chapters which provide a basic introduction to the principles ofmicrobial growth, physiology and antimicrobial strategies, modes of transmission, colonization and subversion of host defences, mechanisms of host damage, the genetics of virulence, the outcome of infection and the principles of vaccines. As with other titles in this Integrated Medical Sciences Series from Fence Creek, the content is ex- pressly designed to explain the basic science principles that underlie a &en clinical condition. This is achieved by dividing ea& chapter into 3 distinct sections. First a clinical case relevant to the subject matter of the chapter is introduced, next the fundamental microbiological principles and details are given, and finally the clinical case resolution is described which draws upon the basic science content of the chapter in order to explain the outcome. At the conclusion of each chapter there are a number of multiple-choice questions which review the reader’s understanding of the subject matter followed by the answers and helpful explanatory summaries. In general, this approach works well and helps to divide this very broad subject matter into a digestible set ofbite- sized chunks.

Perhaps inevitably, given the scope of the topics, the coverage of some areas is rather superficial. For example

metabolism and nutrient acquisition, although funda- mental to bacterial survival, are barely mentioned. How- ever, throughout the book the authors do encourage the reader to visit more specialized texts to address each area in more detail. In this context it would have been helpful to have included specific suggestions for further reading or to have highlighted some of the extensive Internet resources that are now available. Another shortcoming is the omission of any references to the current frenzied research activity in the fields of microbial genomics and the interplay between bacteria and the pattern recogni- tion systems of the innate host defences. Whilst not absolutely essential to an initial understanding of patho- genesis, an attempt to convey the level of excitement which currently surrounds advances in these areas may have helped to persuade the reader to delve into this burgeoning literature and even to consider a future research career in the molecular basis of infectious disease.

Nonetheless, MicrobiaZ Pathogenesis is a very useful addition to medical-undergraduate learning resources and would not even be out of place on the bookshelf of basic-microbiology students who would benefit from a text which neatly illustrates the clinical relevance and outcomes of the interaction between micro-organisms and their host.

Medical Microbiology Mike Curtis

St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dent&y 32, Newark Street London El 2AA, UK

The book is available from Blackwell Science, phone +44 (0) 1865 206233, fax +44 (0) 1865 206026, e-mail medirect@blacksci.co.uk