Since the publication in 1984 of the first edition of this book, the field of medical virology has continued to develop at a brisk pace. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic has driven major research efforts to muster clinical and basic bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections that occur in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This second edition assembles and synthesizes information into a single volume that incorporates the new knowledge in virology that has been gained in recent years. The chapters have been updated to include contemporary information on the molecular biology of viruses.