Human Microbiology (Lifelines)

The widespread presence and activity of micro-organisms makes it impossible to study life sciences without some understanding of microorganisms. Human Microbiology provides a concise review of the biology of the three important groups of micro-organisms that infect humans: bacteria, viruses and fungi. Divided into two parts, it summarises the key features that characterise the physiology of microorganisms e.g. structure and function, growth and division, microbial death and the principles of taxonomy, and examines the common themes that are found in micro-organisms that cause disease in man, the transmission, epidemiology and pathogenicity of microbial diseases.

With the overwhelming volume of information published on individual species of bacteria, viruses and fungi, Human Microbiology emphasises the important concepts and themes that occur in the organisms that are pathogenic to humans. The conventional approach to studying medical microbiology tends to result in exhaustive lists of microbes arranged by genus and their associated diseases. To promote understanding of the principles of medical microbiology and avoid memory lessons, the important concepts are discussed with reference to key examples.