This premier textbook gives students--with or without a background in the sciences--the foundation in microbiology they need to perform their duties as health care professionals. In an engaging style, the text covers all the core concepts outlined for an introductory course by the American Society of Microbiology. This edition has a new full-color art program and provides up-to-date coverage of microbe-associated medical problems, including "bird flu," SARS, West Nile virus, "mad cow disease," anthrax, and smallpox. A bound-in CD-ROM includes case studies, self-assessment exercises, terminology lists, plus "Insight" and "Microbiology--Hollywood Style" sections that provide clinical insights and fun facts.