Includes bibliographical references (p. 625-633) and index.

1. Microbes as parasites -- 2. The bacteria -- 3. The viruses -- 4. The fungi -- 5. The protozoa -- 6. The helminths and arthropods -- 7. Prions -- 8. The host-parasite relationship -- 9. The innate defenses of the body -- 10. Adaptive responses provide a "quantum leap" in effective defense -- 11. The cellular basis of adaptive immune responses -- 12. Background to the infectious diseases -- 13. Entry, exit and transmission -- 14. Immune defenses in action -- 15. Spread and replication -- 16. Parasite survival strategies and persistent infections -- 17. Pathologic consequences of infection -- 18. Upper respiratory tract infections -- 19. Lower respiratory tract infections -- 20. Urinary tract infections -- 21. Sexually transmitted diseases -- 22. Gastrointestinal tract infections -- 23. Obstetric and perinatal infections -- 24. Central nervous system infections -- 25. Infections of the eye -- 26. Infections of the skin, soft tissue, muscle and associated systems -- 27. Vector-borne infections -- 28. Multisystem zoonoses -- 29. Fever of unknown origin -- 30. Infections in the compromised host -- 31. Strategies for control -- 32. Diagnosis of infection and assessment of host defense mechanisms -- 33. Attacking the enemy: antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy -- 34. Protection the host: vaccination -- 35. Passive and non-specific immunotherapy -- 36. Hospital infection, sterilization and disinfection.