Reviews and Resources:Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 11th Ed.: BOOKS

Many readers are doubtless already aware of this extensive and essential reference for current information and practice related to clinical microbiology. Covering organismal biology, disease characteristics, research and diagnostic techniques, antimicrobial agents, and safety practices, the recent 11th edition incorporates the latest findings, particularly the growing genomic and proteomic data available for pathogens. For general interest readers, the opening section of the first volume has excellent chapters of basic information on topics such as microscopy, molecular epidemiology, biothreat agents, and the human microbiome. The remainder of the first volume deals with bacteriology, while the second volume covers virology, mycology, and parasitology. This is obviously an important resource for clinical microbiologists, but it also makes a useful go-to reference for summary and facts needed for teaching the medical/clinical side of the field.