The hospital increasingly cares for larger numbers of critically and acutely ill patients. Technological developments make it imperative that all health professionals have the knowledge and skills to prevent the spread of infection. This text is a timely and much needed reference that provides a basis for this knowledge and skill development.

The authors have extensive experience in teaching infection control and microbiology, at both the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. The authors have research interest relating to both topics. This is evidenced throughout the text, along with the inclusion of Australian data, disease incidence in Australia, Guidelines from the National Health and Medical Research Centre for Infection Control Practice and the presentation of information. These inclusions make the text more relevant to the Australian setting. The spotlight boxes throughout the text highlight events or incidents of interest relevant to the topic, and provide interesting perspectives as well as aiding in understanding and comprehension.

The book is divided into four main units: Fundamental microbiology, Host microbe interactions, Control of microorganisms, and Infections of body systems. Each unit then has various chapters that commence with a chapter focus and end with a summary, a series of questions for study and testing the reader's understanding, and further reading material. Case histories have been included to demonstrate and provide a clinical application to the theory.

The division of the fourth section into body systems I found to be a particular useful way of approaching the different diseases and would be a great source when teaching this topic at an undergraduate level. It would also be of benefit as a quick reference in the clinical setting to provide some basic information about clinical risk and what infection control strategies should be implemented.

The chapter on pathogenic mechanisms and invasion strategies for microorganisms provides a clear presentation of the disease symptoms associated with the production of exotoxins by specific organisms and enables the reader to understand the symptoms produced by certain organisms. This sort of practical application to the theory is evident throughout the book. The authors constantly link theory and its relevance to patient care.

The authors do give some ambiguous information for the novice practitioner concerning practices to prevent the spread of infection. It could be misread that the use of gowns or plastic aprons is required at all times in the hospital setting. Perhaps a clearer picture of the use of such protective clothing could have been given.

Overall this is an easy-to-read, comprehensive text that covers the range of important topics necessary for nurses and other health professionals to have an understanding of while working in our ever-increasingly complex health care system. This book would provide a valuable resource for students, qualified practitioners and those working as infection control nurses. I would have found this a very useful reference while working both as an Infection Control Nurse and in the clinical field.