Stürchler (Basel U., Switzerland) designed this volume for clinicians, public health professionals, epidemiologists, and clinical microbiologists working to identify infectious disease agents and to create exposure histories for individuals with regard to human contact, animal contact, the natural environment, food, and travel. Under these categories, specific sources of exposure are listed (e.g. milk and dairy products); information regarding the source is then subdivided by agent classifications. The information generally includes statistics on populations, conditions, and climates where exposure has been prevalent. There is separate coverage of exposure risk in different animal types, human domiciles and living conditions, and types of work. Additional chapters provide clinical information on nosocomical infections, and an encyclopedic listing of infectious agents. Also included are a table reviewing the taxonomy of many human-infecting and some animal-infecting agents, an exposure checklist, a glossary, and a list of acronyms used in the text. An extensive bibliography is provided as well. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less