The goal of this text remains the same as that of the first edition - to challenge students to develop a working knowledge of the variety of microorganisms that cause infections in humans. Cases are presented as unknowns and are accompanied by questions to test students' knowledge in four broad areas: 1) the organism's characteristics and laboratory diagnosis; 2)pathogenesis and clinical characteristics; 3) epidemiology; and 4) prevention, drug treatment and resistance.

The book is organized by organ system rather than by organism - preparing students for clinical problem solving by giving them a broad perspective on the microorganisms that attack humans.