Journal of Infection (1988) 16, 2o9-211

Book rev iews

Clinical Microbiology. P. W. Ross & J. F. Peutherer. (Pp. 256; £6.95.) Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1987.

This book is intended for clinicians and medical students rather than microbiologists. T h e first four chapters cover the basic principles of clinical microbiology: source and spread of infections, microbial pathogenicity and host response as well as diagnosis and t reatment of infections. T h e y give excellent concise accounts of these topics. A section on disinfectants is welcome. T h e chapter on diagnosis of infections makes a valuable introduction to the use of the laboratory and investigations which can be per formed with emphasis on the need for liaison between clinician and microbiologist. Some of the advice given on use of antibiotics, however, is a little unexpected, e.g. that ampicillin should not be used in Gram-pos i t ive infections.

T h e early promise of the book falters in the later chapters, which contain a systematic review of infectious diseases and infections. A wide range of topics is covered, including dental disease, which is often omit ted f rom such texts. T h e overall impression, however, is that the net has been cast too wide with the result that some topics have received less attention than they deserve. Lit t le distinction is made between falciparum and other forms of malaria. T h e section on the t reatment of meningitis is too vague to be useful to clinicians. Not all infections are easily confined to one system and so some uncomfortable anomalies occur (e.g. measles and Marburg disease are included under infections of the skin).

T h e authors have a t tempted a difficult task in trying to cover the whole of clinical microbiology in the format of a ' shor t tex t -book ' . Most subjects of current interest (e.g. Legionnaires ' Disease, H I V infection) are ment ioned but some would have benefited f rom fuller coverage. This book would be useful for medical students; those involved in the management of infection need to consult fuller texts.

Margaret Logan

Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance of Coagulase-negative Staphylococci. G. Pulverer, P. G. Quie, G. Peters, Eds. (Pp. 290; D M I 6 8 ) . Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart , 1987. (Zentralblatt ff~r Bakteriologie, Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Abt. I , Supplemente , 16).

Coagulase-negative staphylococci cause major problems, especially in patients with indwelling plastic cannulae or prostheses. T h e infections are often difficult to treat and it may be necessary to remove the infected implant. A group of experts met in Heppenhe im to discuss the problems caused by these organisms. The i r deliberations have been publ ished as a supplement to a well-known journal and this book brings the information to a wider audience.

A short paper on taxonomy describes the identification of staphylococci and classifies them into 24 species. A large section on extracellular slime describes its structure as well as its effect on virulence, inhibition of phagocytosis and lymphocytes. T h e surface propert ies of staphylococci, which affect adherence to surfaces and intracellular survival after phagocytosis, are fully discussed. Studies on the specificity of Staphylococcus epidermidis for various plastic polymers and natural matrices may lead to methods for prevent ing adherence and subsequent infection. Various clinical