This important textbook brings together the recent advances in our understanding of how bacteria cause disease. New research has changed the way scientists view host-bacterium interactions - not included in previous basic textbooks. The interactions involve immunology, cell biology, human and bacterial physiology, molecular biology and genetics. The six introductory chapters provide the scientific background necessary for exploring the bacterial diseases covered in the book. Through studying the bacteria and diseases presented, students gain extensive knowledge of host-parasite interactions and examine a range of interesting epidemiological and therapeutic problems.