Liberally accented with photographs, diagrams, and clinical case pictures, this text is straightforward, adequately referenced, and logically organized... provides a bridge between the well-known exhaustive compendiums and brief treatises for the college level student considering a career in the biological sciences or healthcare fields... Clinical correlations and therapeutic options which enhance the biology presented are included. I particularly liked the easy to follow life cycle diagrams and the many electron micrographs which clearly delineate important characteristics of these microorganisms... Its modest price, well-written style, and up-to-date information should make this text a course director's favorite.