Author Information: Kent B Crossley, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA; Kimberly K Jefferson, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, VA, USA;
Gordon L Archer, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, VA, USA; Vance G Fowler Jr, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA

Staphylococci remain the most important cause of hospital-acquired infections in the U.S. and MRSA has become the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infection in many parts of the world.

There is now a much greater understanding of the physiology and evolution of the staphylococci and this new edition reflects the rapid advancements in knowledge about this pathogen and provides a comprehensive review from both clinical and basic science perspectives.

The first section addresses the basic biology of the staphylococci, their molecular genetics, host defenses and host evasion, virulence determinants, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and laboratory techniques. The second section deals with epidemiology, and the third section provides an overview of the varied clinical manifestations of human staphylococcal infections. The fourth section covers prevention and treatment of these often life-threatening infections.