Michael Wilson 
Bacteriology of Humans 
An Ecological Perspective

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

About the author

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 Ph D 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.