This collection of monographs offers a broad overview of the microbiological pathogens and toxins associated with foodborne illness. It also discusses pathogenicity, clinical epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Chapters also address alternatives to antibiotics, risk assessment, irradiation and other sanitation procedures, and molecular techniques for detecting pathogens. The final chapter addresses future directions in food safety from the perspective of the interrelationship between food safety and public and animal health, municipal water quality, industrial processes, and other issues. The reference work is intended for infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, and food safety scientists in industrial and research settings. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)