Medically Important Fungi : A Guide to Identification

From The Critics

Reviewer: Roberta B. Carey, PhD(Loyola University Medical Center)
Description: The third edition of this practical guide to identifying fungi has added 44 pages and 22 new organisms since the last edition published in 1987. The biggest change is the addition of photomicrographs for each organism described.
Purpose: This book is meant to be a supplement to textbooks describing fungal diseases and the identification of yeasts and molds. It provides a simplified scheme for identification based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, which are easily observed and translated into the most probable organism.
Audience: Written for the medical technologist working at the bench, the guide is also helpful to infectious disease fellows and other students of mycology such as pathology residents. The author is most knowledgeable, with many years of hands-on experience.
Features: The new edition includes black-and-white photomicrographs to show the reader how these organisms actually appear. Line drawings clarify the pertinent details. The bibliography has been updated to include references on the newly described species of clinical import. The glossary explains the terminology in words and with illustrations, which is essential to the identification of fungi.
Assessment: The book is divided into three main sections: (1) guides/keys to follow for organism identification, (2) a brief description of each organism, and (3) basic lab techniques. This soft-covered book is a favorite of those in the clinical laboratory who work in mycology. It "cuts to the chase," providing the most essential facts about a yeast or mold. Its simplicity makes it user-friendly, and the addition of photomicrographs will enhance its usefulness even more. I bought one for myself as soon as it was published. No lab or medical library should be without one.

Roberta B. Carey

The third edition of this practical guide to identifying fungi has added 44 pages and 22 new organisms since the last edition published in 1987. The biggest change is the addition of photomicrographs for each organism described. This book is meant to be a supplement to textbooks describing fungal diseases and the identification of yeasts and molds. It provides a simplified scheme for identification based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, which are easily observed and translated into the most probable organism. Written for the medical technologist working at the bench, the guide is also helpful to infectious disease fellows and other students of mycology such as pathology residents. The author is most knowledgeable, with many years of hands-on experience. The new edition includes black-and-white photomicrographs to show the reader how these organisms actually appear. Line drawings clarify the pertinent details. The bibliography has been updated to include references on the newly described species of clinical import. The glossary explains the terminology in words and with illustrations, which is essential to the identification of fungi. The book is divided into three main sections: (1) guides/keys to follow for organism identification, (2) a brief description of each organism, and (3) basic lab techniques. This soft-covered book is a favorite of those in the clinical laboratory who work in mycology. It cuts to the chase, providing the most essential facts about a yeast or mold. Its simplicity makes it user-friendly, and the addition of photomicrographs will enhance its usefulness even more. I bought one for myself as soon as it was published. No lab or medical libraryshould be without one.

Booknews

Helps lab workers and medical technology students identify fungal pathogens under the microscope by their morphology and other features. B&w illustrations and photomicrographs illustrate guides to interpretation of clinical specimens and identification of fungi in culture, with descriptions of filamentous bacteria, yeasts, thermally dimorphic fungi, and thermally monomorphic molds. A section on laboratory technique details lab procedures, staining methods, and media preparation. Includes an illustrated glossary. The latest edition adds new organisms, lab procedures, and staining methods. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

4 Stars! from Doody