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1: Microbiology book
This book is very helpful in breaking down the necessary tests, etc. Easy to read charts and format. One of the better Micro books I've seen lately.
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2: Very happy little med student...
This book is a great resource book for any medical student to have on their shelves. I agree with many of the other comments that it is not an easy book. This more because of the massive extent of information, not the method of writing. Overall it's easy to read, which is why I refer to it as my reference book. I did rather well in my micro class using mostly class notes and Medical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple mostly because the typical medical student just doesn't have enough time to thoroughly use this text. However, any time I had a question, this book could answer it. It saved me a lot of time tracking down the various professors to ask questions. It has great "green boxes" that summarize the virulence, epidemiology, disease, diagnosis, and treatment for each bacteria and virus. I definitely plan on using those for reviewing. The end of each unit (bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites) summarizes the role of that microbe in disease which is basically charts of differentials for pneumonia, diarrhea, ect..but very useful when transistioning to clinical thinking.
The companion question book was great too. The questions were typically harder than my exams (which I should note Dr. Rosenthal was my course coordinator so that was a nice surprise) but helped me discover gaps in my understanding.
I don't know if this is the best book but I certainly don't have any huge complaints. And I repeat, it's my reference book not my main study source. Definitely get Ridiculously Simple and First Aid...both have great memory tips for highly detailed subject.
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3: Straightforward text, basic immunology required for understanding
For medical students the medical microbiology is often generalized as a subject full of detailed information and names of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites which ought to be memorized and written on an exam sheet at the end of the course. Unfortunately, complex texts with many parallels often cause confusion and strengthen the reinforced need to memorize as much details as possible. In some context, it reminds of the perception of the human anatomy.
A lot of things in medical microbiology are meant to be memorized but there is a way around which makes the student to get a core understanding of the subject. Hence, the beginner student needs sincere and concrete information prior to the course, which result in fast and effective studies.
To begin with, the text in this book requires a strong understanding of three crucial subjects: biochemistry, molecular cell biology and basic immunology. Without any of these three components, most parts of the book will seem nothing else but difficult information based on names and technically undefined principles. Therefore, before a student should start with this material the principles of basic immunology, based on cell-biological and biochemical mechanisms, shall be understood. Even if the book does not mention much pure biochemistry with exception of maybe different enzymes (e.g beta-lactamase) secreted by Staphylococcal Aureus bacteria to break down different types of penicillins and thus partly become resistant, without biochemistry and cell biology there is no chance that the student will understand the immunology part in the first place, making the entire subject resemble fuzzy concepts based on names only instead of natural science based on logical analysis.
Time constrains may give it a lower priority and the immunology part of this book is definitively not for students who have not yet been familiar with the subject. In fact, the chapter in immunology is more of a concise summary without any details making it very hard for the beginner to get any form of understanding and intuitive problem-solving skills.
Therefore, I would personally recommend the book Basic Immunology, Updated Edition 2006-2007: with STUDENT CONSULT Access before start any reading in medical microbiology. The book contains 263 pages with problems after each chapter, clearly written and fits the time constrain most students may experience during the course. Starting with this book the student will be guaranteed to get the most out of the microbiology courses and understand the crucial keys, principles and theoretical frameworks needed at the clinics and future research. If needed a student can always buy a more advanced book in immunology, but she needs to buy this book together with the microbiology materials.
With understanding of the above mentioned subjects, the chapters in Medical Microbiology 5th Ed will seem clearly written and much easier to read and comprehend. Often, the student may need to read the chapters over and over again to get an intuitive problem-solving skill, which occurs in any medical subject anyway like physiology, anatomy, and cell biology. The illustrations are quite simplified, but there is no need for details as the skills in biochemistry and cell biology already are in the back of her mind. Medical Microbiology 5th Ed is probably the best book for introductory microbiology building up the intuitive self-confidence and understanding needed during practice.
There are plenty of lists and summaries about CD markers, cytokines, virulence factors, microbe physiology, diagnosis and vaccines in every chapter but memorizing most of these details are often not needed to get an understanding. I would recommend memorizing them (if needed) after the student has a concrete understanding of medical microbiology and is capable of putting small details in the correct contexts and still find the process easy.
There is a strong need to attend live seminars where students and professors have a chance to discuss different topics. Otherwise, attending lectures can be a good opportunity to ask the questions which may naturally arise during the course.
My overall judgement of this book is 5/5, based on the text, illustrations and the understanding I achieved after three weeks of intensive reading.
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4: Fantastic book ...
I used this book for my undergrad class and luckily my med school also uses this. As well as my husband has a previous copy that he used in med school. The text is very thorough, although it was lacking in a basic classification of bacteria, that would have been nice. (Like a chart of all gram - on one side and all gram +). Just gave a previous edition to a physician for reference and he loves it! I used this book in conjunction with clinical micro made simple and I have to say, I love both these books. Diagrams are clear, sometimes some of the topics are a bit jumbled (like immunology). There aren't alot of images either so you may need to supplement. That shouldn't be a problem though. This text is better if you have a basics of micro already down, definitely a higher level micro book or grad book. I would recommend!
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5: well done
the book is in perfect conditions, and arrived in good time.
Was a good choise to buy with them.
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