In recent years there has been a revolution in our understanding of infections and the infective process as well as in our ability to detect, identify, characterise and understand commensal and pathogenic bacteria. The bacteriology volumes in Topley & Wilson's Microbiology and Microbial Infections have therefore been thoroughly restructured and updated for this tenth edition to include all new, emerging or re-emerging pathogens as well as providing the ultimate reference to established organisms. The two volumes provide comprehensive, authoritative coverage of all aspects of bacteriology, and are divided into parts covering the general basic characteristics of bacteria and bacterial infections; their ecosystems; epidemiology, transmission and therapy; organ and system infections and laboratory aspects. These are followed by detailed reviews of the individual organisms and their biology. The chapters distil current knowledge while providing insight into future developments in the field. The editors' and contributors' enthusiasm for this exciting subject, combined with the breadth of coverage and the clinical relevance of the material ensures that Bacteriology will prove invaluable to students and teachers of microbiology, while microbiologists working in general, medical, food, environmental, and pharmaceutical fields will come to find this their definitive reference work.