A quick, concise reference to pathogenic microorganisms and the diseases they cause, this book is divided into specific groups of pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses, and prions. It lists important pathogenic taxa in each group, covering their natural habitats, the diseases they cause, microbiological highlights, laboratory diagnosis, and measures of prevention and control, including availability of vaccines and effective therapeutic agents. All healthcare professionals and public health workers will benefit from having this reliable source of information at their fingertips.

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Terminologies 3

Transmission of Infectious Diseases (Mode of dissemination) 6

Universal Precautions 8

Chapter 2 Host-Microbe Interactions 9

Resident Microbiota 9

Host Defenses 11

Phagocytosis 12

Natural Killer Cells 12

Specific Immunity 13

Chapter 3 Antibiotics and Chemotherapeutic Agents 16

Chapter 4 Antiseptics and Disinfectants 24

Physical Control of Microorganisms 24

Chemical Control o0f Microorganisms 26

Chapter 5 Gram Positive Cocci 31

Staphylococcus species 33

Streptococcus species 35

Enterococcus species 40

Chapter 6 Gram Positive Bacilli 42

Clostridium species 42

Bacillus species 47

Listeria species 51

Chapter 7 Gram Positive Bacteria with Rudimentary Filaments 54

Corynebacterium species 54

Mycobacterium species 56

Chapter 8 Gram Negative Cocci 61

Neisseria species 61

Moraxella and Haemophilus species 64

Chapter 9 Gram Negative Bacilli 70

Enterobacteriaceae 72

Glucose Non-fermenters 79

Uncommon Non-fermentative taxa 83

Chapter 10 Miscellaneous Gram Negative Bacteria 85

Vibrio cholerae 90

Legionella species 95

Chlamydia and Rickettsia 97

Chapter 11 Spirochetes and Bacteria without a Cell Wall 101

Spirochetes 101

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma 108

Chapter 12 Actinomycetes 109

Anaerobic Actinomycetes 109

Aerobic Actinomycetes 110

Chapter 13 Introduction to Pathogenic Fungi and Superficial Mycoses 115

Superficial Mycoses 117

Mucocutaneous Mycoses 123

Chapter 14 Subcutaneous and Systemic Mycoses 127

Subcutaneous Mycoses 127

Systemic Mycoses 131

Chapter 15 Unicellular Parasites 151

Lumen Dwelling Protozoa 153

Blood and Tissue Dwelling Protozoa 155

Chapter 16 Multicellular Parasites 161

Lumen Dwelling Helminths 161

Blood and Tissue Dwelling Helminths 167

Chapter 17 Viruses and Prions 170

Double Stranded DNA Viruses 171

Single Stranded DNA Viruses 176

Double Stranded RNA Viruses 176

Single Stranded RNA Viruses 177

Prions 185