Bacteriology Of Humans

1st Prize, 'New Authored Books' category, Royal Society of Medicine and Society of Authors Medical Book Awards 2008
“Overall, I am impressed by the up-to date information content and structure provided in Bacteriology of Humans. It is truly an ecological perspective helpful for undergraduate/graduate majors in microbiology and immunology.” –American Society for Microbiology, June 2009
"Wilson provides the reader with an up-to-date, comprehensive census of the indigenous microorganisms that inhabit the human body and in so doing contributes significantly to this rapidly advancing area of study. The narrative is clearly written; the index is excellent; there are numerous bibliographic citations. Each chapter is rich with tables, diagrams, color micrographs, and charts … Highly recommended." –Choice Reviews
"This comprehensive, yet accessible text... is an excellent and informative reference book… it should be on the shelf of every major science and medical library. The content, organization, and presentation make this book a unique resource." –Doody's Book Reviews

Until recently, the indigenous microbiota of humans has been a relatively neglected area of microbiology with most attention being focused on those microbes that cause disease in humans, rather than on those that co-exist with us in the disease-free state. However, in the past decade research has shown that not only is the indigenous microbiota involved in protecting humans from exogenous pathogens but it is also involved in our development and nutrition. Consequently, interest has grown substantially among health professionals and scientists in analyzing and understanding these microbial (largely bacterial) communities.
This comprehensive, yet accessible text provides an up-to-date guide to the development, composition and distribution of indigenous microbial communities of humans. With the aid of abundant colour figures, diagrams, tables and maps, it establishes links between the physicochemical factors prevailing at an anatomical site and the types of microbes to be found there. The book includes an introduction to the human-microbe symbiosis as well as an in-depth look at the main systems and organs of the human body that have an indigenous microbiota. Each chapter includes a list of references for further study.
This is an excellent and informative reference book that is useful to anyone with an interest in microbiology, medical microbiology, microbial ecology, infectious diseases, immunology, human biology, medicine, dentistry, nursing, health sciences, biomedical sciences or pharmacy – it should be on the shelf of every major science and medical library.
Hallmark Features:
Provides a comprehensive, yet accessible, reference book on the human microbiota
Lavishly illustrated with colour figures, diagrams, tables and maps
Each chapter provides a list of references to promote further study
Each chapter contains links to key websites
Offers an ecological approach that explains why certain organisms are associated with a particular anatomical site

Michael Wilson is a Professor of Microbiology in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at University College London and is Director of the Eastman Centre for Microbial Diseases within this university. He holds a PhD in Microbiology from University College Galway, Ireland, a Doctor of Science from the National University of Ireland and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists. He has written and/or edited eight books and published more than 270 scientific papers in the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases.

“Overall, I am impressed by the up-to date information content and structure provided in Bacteriology of Humans. It is truly an ecological perspective helpful for undergraduate/graduate majors in microbiology and immunology.” (American Society for Microbiology, June 2009)
“Wilson provides the reader with an up-to-date, comprehensive census of the indigenous microorganisms that inhabit the human body and in so doing contributes significantly to this rapidly advancing area of study. The narrative is clearly written; the index is excellent; there are numerous bibliographic citations. Each chapter is rich with tables, diagrams, color micrographs, and charts … .Each section serves as a valuable resource for understanding the influence of microbes on human health and disease. Highly recommended.” (Choice Reviews, December 2008)
“This comprehensive, yet accessible text provides an up-to-date guide to the development, composition and distribution of these microbial communities. This is an excellent and informative reference book … it should be on the shelf of every major science and medical library. The content, organization, and presentation make this book a unique resource. The author introduces a valuable framework for understanding the important role that the indigenous human microflora plays.” (Doody's Book Reviews, October 2008)

1. The human-microbe symbiosis.

1.1 Overview of the nature and distribution of the microbial communities inhabiting humans.

1.2 Environmental determinants that affect the distribution and composition of microbial communities.

1.3 Host characteristics that affect the indigenous microbiota.

1.4 Techniques used to characterise the microbial communities inhabiting humans.

1.5 The epithelium - site of host-microbe interactions.

1.6 Further Reading.

2. The indigenous microbiota of the skin.

2.1 Anatomy and physiology of human skin.

2.2 Cutaneous antimicrobial defence systems.

2.3 Environmental determinants operating at different skin regions.

2.4 The indigenous microbiota of the skin.

2.5 Overview of the cutaneous microbiota.

2.6 References for epidemiological studies.

2.7 Further reading.

3. The indigenous microbiota of the eye.

3.1 Anatomy and physiology of the eye.

3.2 Antimicrobial defence systems of the eye.

3.3 Environmental determinants on the conjunctival surface.

3.4 The indigenous microbiota of the eye.

3.5 Overview of the ocular microbiota.

3.6 References for epidemiological studies.

3.7 Further reading.

4. The indigenous microbiota of the respiratory tract.

4.1 Anatomy and physiology of the respiratory tract.

4.2 Antimicrobial defence systems of the respiratory tract.

4.3 Environmental determinants within the respiratory tract.

4.4 Indigenous microbiota of the respiratory tract.

4.5 Overview of the respiratory microbiota.

4.6 References for epidemiological studies.

4.7 Further reading.

5. The indigenous microbiota of the urinary system of females.

5.1. Anatomy and physiology of the urinary system of females.

5.2 Antimicrobial defences of the female urinary system.

5.3 Environmental determinants within the female urethra.

5.4 The indigenous microbiota of the female urethra.

5.5. Overview of the microbiota of the urinary tract of females.

5.6. References for epidemiological studies.

5.7 Further reading.

6. The indigenous microbiota of the reproductive system of females.

6.1 Anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system.

6.2 Antimicrobial defence systems of the female reproductive system.

6.3 Environmental determinants at different regions of the reproductive system. 6.4 The indigenous microbiota of the female reproductive system.

6.5 Overview of the microbiota of the female reproductive system.

6.6. References for epidemiological studies.

6.7 Further reading.

7. The indigenous microbiota of the urinary and reproductive systems of males.

7.1 Anatomy and physiology.

7.2 Antimicrobial defences of the male urinary and reproductive systems.

7.3. Environmental determinants within the male urinary and reproductive systems.

7.4 The indigenous microbiota of the male urinary and reproductive systems.

7.5 Overview of the microbiota of the male urinary and reproductive systems.

7.6. References for epidemiological studies.

7.7 Further reading.

8. The indigenous microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract.

8.1 Anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract.

8.2 Antimicrobial defence systems of the gastrointestinal tract.

8.3 Environmental determinants within different regions of the gastrointestinal tract.

8.4 The indigenous microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract.

8.5. Overview of the indigenous microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract.

8.6 References for epidemiological studies.

8.7 Further reading.

9. The indigenous microbiota of the oral cavity.

9.1 Anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity.

9.2 Antimicrobial defence systems of the oral cavity.

9.3 Environmental determinants at the various sites within the oral cavity.

9.4 The indigenous microbiota of the oral cavity.

9.5 Overview of the oral microbiota.

9.6. References for epidemiological studies.

9.7 Further reading