The newly revised edition of this work provides an up-to-date description of the mechanisms of infection and disease production in a clear and logical manner. Dealing in an integrated manner with all microorganisms, the factors common to all infectious diseases are set out. Molecular biology, pathology, and immunology are brought together to explain how an infectious agent causes disease, and how the body reacts to it. - Attachment to and entry of microorganisms - Events occurring immediately after entry - The encounter of the microbe with the phagocytic cell - The spread of microbes through the body - The immune response to infection - Microbial strategies in relation to the immune response - Mechanisms of cell and tissue damage - Recovery from infection - Failure to eliminate the microbe - Host and microbial factors influencing susceptibility - Vaccines

Tony Nash is Emeritus Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Edinburgh. He has had a distinguished career i the field of viral pathogenesis in which he has over a 150 publications. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the Academy of medical sciences of the UK.

Preface to Fourth Edition.
Preface to the Third Edition.
Preface to the Second Edition.
Preface to the First Edition.
General Principles.
Attachment to and Entry of Microorganisms into the Body.
Events Occurring Immediately After the Entry of the Microorganism.
The Encounter of the Microbe with the Phagocytic Cell.
The Spread of Microbes through the Body.
The Immune Response to Infection.
Microbial Strategies in Relation to the Immune Response.
Mechanisms of Cell and Tissue Damage.
Recovery from Infection.
Failure to Eliminate Microbe.
Host and Microbial Factors Influencing Susceptibility.
Vaccines.
Appendices.
Conclusions.
Glossary.
Subject Index.