About the Book

Outbreak: Cases in Real-World Microbiology is a fascinating new textbook targeting introductory microbiology instructors and students.  Generously illustrated with color photographs, the book integrates headline-making disease outbreaks into the microbiology coursework and is the first work of its kind to utilize material that directly impacts college-age students.  Unique in its presentation, Outbreak is designed to offer instructors the flexibility to use the book effectively in a number of ways, while providing students with the critical content they need.

A total of 96 classroom-tested case studies cover the topics of microbiology, including basic microbiology concepts, medical microbiology, bioterrorism, environmental microbiology, and industrial microbiology.  The cases that are presented cover a wide array of outbreaks at differing levels of difficulty and can be taught at all undergraduate levels.  At the end of each case study are questions for students to think about and answer.  An appendix directs students to specific reference material which provides information relevant to the study questions and encourages students to apply the reference content to the case being studied.  An additional appendix provides handy information about antimicrobial agents in table format.

Each of the nine sections of the book features a College Perspective and a Global Perspective case study.  The College Perspective provides a direct and practical link between the microbiology course and the daily lives of students.  The Global Perspectiveconnects students with outbreaks that have occurred in countries around the world.  The latter facilitates understanding of the social, religious, and political values at play in a given outbreak situation and introduces students to the economic forces that impact the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.  At the end of each section, following the case studies, are detailed descriptions of the diseases involved in the outbreak case studies.  These descriptions offer concise information on the cause, transmission, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these diseases.

Key Features

• Presents case studies covering a wide variety of subject areas, including general, medical, environmental, and industrial microbiology
• Integrates current outbreaks that are featured in news headlines into the classroom for added relevance
• Features a discovery-oriented answer key that directs students to appropriate reference material rather than providing complete answers to the study questions
• Introduces students to the relevance of diverse social, economic, political, and religious issues that exist in various parts of the world
• Provides case studies of varying levels of difficulty
• Presents complete information about each disease and microbe covered