Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Uniquely practical text teaching the skills needed for the diagnosis of infectious diseases through a case-based approach

The newly revised and updated Fifth Edition of Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the diverse pathogenic microorganisms that infect humans. This interactive text challenges readers to grasp both fundamental concepts and practical information on clinical importance presented in medical microbiology or infectious disease courses.

The cases in this textbook are presented as “unknowns” and represent actual clinical cases. This edition features a revised case format that progressively reveals details between questions, mirroring the real-world process of deciphering complex medical cases, offering an immersive and authentic understanding of how infectious diseases are diagnosed and managed. Questions are interspersed with case details to test knowledge across various areas, including the organism's characteristics, laboratory diagnosis, pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, epidemiology, prevention, and, in some cases, drug resistance and treatment. Each case concludes with a brand new “Key Learning Points” section that emphasizes and reinforces important takeaways for the reader in succinct, digestible statements.

Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Fifth Edition also includes tools to assist readers in solving the cases, such as a table of normal values, and figures illustrating microscopic organism morphology, laboratory tests, and clinical symptoms.

Written by a team of expert medical microbiologists, this edition has been fully revised and updated to include cutting-edge cases on respiratory infections (COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcus), tick-borne infections (Powassan virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease), sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus), multidrug resistant organisms, and more, ensuring readers stay informed on current clinically important and emerging pathogens. Updates reflect the latest advances in technology, diagnostics, testing, and treatment, equipping readers with the knowledge needed to tackle ever-evolving challenges. Practical details on specimen selection, collection, and transport; critical laboratory errors; and applications of different diagnostics approaches are included to provide functional, on-the-job knowledge.

The Fifth Edition of Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases is an essential textbook for students in related programs of study, medical microbiologists, pathology residents, infectious disease fellows in training, and particularly for those preparing for Part I of the National Board of Medical Examiners Exam, the American Board of Medical Microbiology Exam, the American Board of Pathology Medical Microbiology Subspeciality Certifying Exam, or American Board of Internal Medicine Subspeciality Exam in Infectious Diseases. Whether you are a student, practitioner, or seasoned expert, this comprehensive resource is designed to enhance your clinical acumen and keep you at the forefront of the field.