This edition embodies our commitment to convey information on the ever-evolving, complex, and challenging field of diagnostic microbiology. Similar to previous editions, we remain committed to preserving the tradition of providing a well-designed and organized textbook. This edition maintains the building block approach to learning, critical thinking, and problem solving, features that clinical laboratory science and clinical laboratory technician students, entry-level clinical laboratory practitioners, and others have found valuable and effective. In response to our readers' needs, we continue to enchance these features that have made this textbook user-friendly.