The study of infectious diseases has undergone major changes since its infancy when it was largely a documentation of epidemics. It has now evolved into a dynamic phenomenon involving the ecology of the infectious agent, pathogenesis in the host, reservoirs and vetors, as well as the complex mechanisms concerned in the spread of infection and the extent to which this spread occurs. Rapid globalization has led to unprecedented interest in infectious diseases worldwide and their effect on complex population dynamics including migration, famine, fire, war, and terrorism. It is now essential for public health officials to understand the basic science behind infectious disease and, likewise, students studying ID must have a broader understanding of the implications of infectious disease in a public health context as well as clinical presentation and prevention. The clear demand for an integrated approach has led to the publication of this text.

Contents: PART 1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
1. Microbial etiology of disease N. Shetty, E. Aarons, J. Andrews.

2. Structure and function of microbes N. Shetty, E. Aarons, J. Andrews.

3. Host defence versus microbial pathogenesis and the mechanisms of microbial escape N. Shetty, E. Aarons, J. Andrews.

4. Diagnosis of microbial infection N. Shetty, E. Aarons, J. Andrews.

5. General Principles of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy N. Shetty, E. Aarons, J. Andrews.

6. Basic concepts of the epidemiology of infectious diseases N. Shetty.

PART 2. A SYSTEMS BASED APPROACH TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

7. Infections of the skin, soft tissue, bone and joint N. Shetty, J.W. Tang.

8. Gastroenteritis N. Shetty, J.W. Tang.

9. Cardiac and Respiratory Tract infections N. Shetty, J.W. Tang, J. Andrews.

10. Infections of the Central Nervous System N. Shetty, J.W. Tang.

11. Infections of the Genito-urinary System N. Shetty, R. Smith.

PART 3. INFECTIONS IN SPECIAL GROUPS.

12. Obstetric, Congenital and Neonatal Infections N. Shetty, J.W. Tang, J. Andrews.

13. Infections in the immunocompromised host (HIV, solid organ transplant recipients, haematological malignancies) D. Mack, N. Shetty.

14. Health care associated infections N. Shetty.

15. The fever and rash conundrum: rashes of childhood J.W. Tang.

PART 4. INFECTIONS OF GLOBAL IMPACT.

16. Tuberculosis S. Srivastava, N. Shetty.

17. Malaria D. Mack.

18. HIV/AIDS J.W. Tang.

19. Hepatitis J.W. Tang.

20. Influenza J.W. Tang, P.K.S. Chan.

21. Infections in the returning traveler N. Shetty.

PART 5. EMERGING AND RESURGENT INFECTIONS.

22. Viral hemorrhagic fevers J.W. Tang.

23. Emerging infections I (Human monkeypox, Hantaviruses, Nipah virus, Japanese encephalitis, Chikungunya) J.W. Tang.

24. Emerging infections II (West Nile virus, Dengue, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus) J.W. Tang, P.K.S. Chan.

25. Diphtheria N. Shetty.

26. Agents of Bioterrorism J.W. Tang .

Index