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Chem-Bio Book Review
Microterrors: The Complete Guide to Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal Infections that Threaten our Health

By Tony Hart, MBBS, BSc, PhD, FRCPCH, FRCPath

From its title, a reader might surmise that Microterrors was a science fiction thriller. Instead, this small, 192-page volume is actually a compact reference guide profiling over 150 pathogens that can cause disease in humans. Systematically organized information and colorful graphics combine to make Microterrors an easy-to-use guide suitable for either quick reference or cover-to-cover reading.

The author of Microterrors, Dr. Charles Anthony "Tony" Hart, is a professor of medical microbiology at the University of Liverpool, and, according to the book’s cover, is one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject. Dr. Hart begins the book with an introductory section providing a brief overview of the four major categories of infectious agents that are covered in the text: viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa (he includes prion agents in the virus section). This section also touches on the history of microbiology and the role of "normal flora" microbes in the human body. The introduction concludes with a visual tutorial on how to use the rest of the book, including a diagram showing the basic layout used throughout, and a key to icons that provide at-a-glance information for each pathogen. A glossary and index are included at the end of the book.

The bulk of Microterrors comprises a catalog of microbes, grouped into sections by agent category (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa). Each section begins with a short definition of its category, followed by a one- or two-page summary for each agent included in that section. Most of the agent summaries begin with an overview paragraph, followed by information on clinical features of the disease caused by the agent, available treatment, and preventive measures. Both the scientific name of the pathogen and the common name of the disease it causes are given. In addition, a small table in the margin of each page provides quick-reference information for each agent, including its natural origin, date of first identification, mode(s) of transmission, portal(s) of entry into the human body, and incubation period. Icons above the table indicate key clinical information, such as whether the agent is potentially fatal, the means by which it is spread, and whether or not treatments or vaccines are available to prevent disease.

Vibrant colors and striking graphics are well-used throughout the book. Eye-catching, color-enhanced electron microscopy images of microbes are included on every page. A colored bar at the top of each page indicates the current section, making sections easy to locate. The quick-reference icons are color-coded, as well. Additionally, while most agent summaries are printed on white backgrounds, occasional black backgrounds indicate pathogens with particularly high mortality rates. While much of the agent information in Microterrors is fairly technical, the colorful layout, quick-reference tables, and vivid imagery help to make specific information clear and easy to locate.

While Microterrors does provide substantial of information about a large number of microbes, there are details that are not included. For example, the author provides no rationale for how the pathogens included in the catalog were selected, and makes no claim as to whether Microterrors is or is not a comprehensive list of human disease-causing pathogens. Additionally, many scientific terms and concepts used in the text are not fully explained, so that readers lacking a scientific background may need to seek additional explanations elsewhere.

As the disclaimer in the front of the book says, Microterrors should not be used for self-diagnosis, or take the place of medical advice from a qualified practitioner. For an overview of biological and epidemiological information about many infectious agents, however, it is a good, user-friendly resource that does not take up much space on a bookshelf.