Description: 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.
Review Quotes: "All three of these pictures are excellent, both for beauty and illustration." (The Quarterly Review of Biology, 1 September 2011)
"A fun and readable book that engages the imagination and retains the interest of the clinically orientated reader while conveying an understanding of the direct implications of molecular characteristics of infectious agents to the practise of medicine."
Louisa Chapman, Emerging Infectious Diseases, January 2010
"This book provides a valuable overview of the basic principles and issues pertaining to the pathogenesis and prevention of infectious diseases. The illustrations, the chapter summaries with relevant information, and the case studies are all particularly useful for the targeted readers. The book is well designed and manages to convey the general concepts of the various aspects of infectious diseases without overwhelming."
Stella U. Kalu and Tasnee Chonmaitree, Clinical infectious diseases, January 2010