Completely updated, Microbiology for the Health Sciences is the ideal source for health professions and nursing students who need to learn the basic microbiological concepts involved in the care of patients and protection against infectious diseases. This edition features expanded chapters on parasitology, laboratory procedures, biotechnology, and infectious diseases. An increased number of Insight Boxes, Study Aids, and tables provide the students with a quick and comprehensive look at certain aspects of topics covered in each chapter. Core themes and concepts found in an introductory microbiology course, as described by the American Society for Microbiology, are contained in this text. The authors have attempted to provide a very fundamental approach to the complex subject of microbiology. Each chapter is clearly organized and divided for better continuity and understanding. Key terms, brief outlines, discussion questions, and review tests have been incorporated to aid in gaining a better understanding of the topics being covered. Several new appendices and a complete glossary can be found at the end of the book.