Staphylococci in Human Disease

Staphylococci remain the most important cause of hospital-acquired infections in the U.S. and MRSA has become the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infection.There is now a much greater understanding of the physiology and evolution of the staphylococci and this new edition reflects the rapid advancements in knowledge about this pathogen and provides a comprehensive review from both clinical and basic science perspectives.The first section addresses the basic biology of the staphylococci, their molecular genetics, host defenses and host evasion, virulence determinants, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and laboratory techniques. The second section deals with epidemiology, and the third section provides an overview of the varied clinical manifestations of human staphylococcal infections. The fourth section covers prevention and treatment of these often life-threatening infections.Written by experts from around the globe, this book is essential reading for all clinicians and basic scientists studying the staphylococci.

Kent B. Crossley MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School and Chief, Education Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Centre, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Gordon L. Archer MD, Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Microbiology/Immunoloyg and Chairman, Division of Infectious Diseases, Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Vance Fowler MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, North Carolina, USA