Includes bibliographical references and index.

A brief history of microbiology -- The chemistry of microbiology -- Cell structure and function -- Microscopy, staining, and classification -- Microbial metabolism -- Microbial nutrition and growth -- Microbial genetics -- Recombinant DNA technology -- Controlling microbial growth in the environment -- Controlling microbial growth in the body : antimicrobial drugs -- Characterizing and classifying prokaryotes -- Characterizing and classifying eukaryotes -- Characterizing and classifying viruses, viroids, and prions -- Infection, infectious disease, and epidemiology -- Innate immunity -- Adaptive immunity -- Immunization and immune testing -- AIDS and other immune disorders -- Microbial diseases of the skin and wounds -- Microbial diseases of the nervous system and eyes -- Microbial cardiovascular and systemic diseases -- Microbial diseases of the respiratory system -- Microbial diseases of the digestive system -- Microbial diseases of the urinary and reproductive systems -- Applied and environmental microbiology.