Wright (infectious diseases, U. of Maryland) presents an overview of the major infectious diseases and a clinical approach to their diagnosis and management, for students, fellows, residents, and practitioners in any discipline. Contributed by infectious diseases specialists from the U. of Maryland and Johns Hopkins U., the 46 chapters are organized by body system and in an outline format, and each covers specific diseases and their definition, classification, epidemiology, causes, pathogenesis, risk factors, microbial causes, clinical manifestations, history, examination, diagnostic studies, diagnostic criteria, and medical, antimicrobial, and surgical management. Also addressed are antimicrobial agents, medical microbiology, fever and neutropenia, an approach to evaluating leukocytosis, the infectious diseases approach to systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis, and the basics of infection control and hospital epidemiology. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)