Designed as both a textbook and reference, Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases: Principles and Practices outlines the principles, methods, and applications of this exciting new discipline of public health. Techniques utilized in the field of molecular biology have been recognized as critical tools in solving infectious disease problems. This introductory volume, distinguishing molecular epidemiology from taxonomy and phylogeny, will familiarize epidemiologists with molecular biology and molecular biologists with epidemiology and will present vocabulary and concepts of both fields to infectious disease clinicians. Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases provides a state-of-the-art review of molecularepidemiology, using real-world examples thatclearly illustrate basic concepts. While emphasisis placed on bacterial infectious diseases asthe discussion model, ideas presented are generallyapplicable to other categories of infectiousdiseases. The glossary of terms propagates thelanguage of molecular epidemiology and willfoster improved communication and idea exchangeamong epidemiologists, microbiologists,and clinicians.Also provided are useful websiteaddresses to allow for further investigation ofthe principles outlined in the book. Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases: Principles and Practices is a single source of valuableinformation, preparing health researchers,practitioners, and students to address globallyand locally the problems associated with infectiousdiseases. Key Features * The first introductory textbook in the exciting new field of molecular epidemiology * Features a glossary of standard terminology bridging the fields of epidemiology and molecular biology * Provides background on principles and practices of epidemiology which solve infectious disease challenges using new molecular biology tools * Illustrates various principles of epidemiology with specific examples of investigations of bacterial infectious diseases * Written in a way that can be understood by clinicians, epidemiologists, and molecular biologists alike