New, antibiotic-resistant, or "conquered" infectious diseases are increasing at alarming rates due to a number or reasons, including overuse of antibiotics and ease of global air travel. This book provides health professionals, especially nurses, with a broad overview of emerging and re-emerging diseases in the United States, with chapters describing 17 of the most prevalent. It is written by a multidisciplinary group of nurses, physicians, and infectious disease specialists. Extremely timely chapters are included on known issues, such as bioterrorism and immune-compromised populations. The Appendix includes a comprehensive resource list, including organizations and web sites.

died and all cases were traced to him. As a second twist, it was never determined how the dentist infected his victims and some debate that he was responsible at all. A mystery within a mystery. The victims were not silent, as all demanded the government do something to prevent this from happening again. The Stephanie Bergalis family (first patient who died) set in motion action to mandate testing for the HIV virus of all healthcare workers or to provide for notification to all patients of an HIV positive health care provider. This statement from chapter seven describes the dilemma of mandating testing and/or notification. In America, no political institution has ultimate authority and no policy decisions are final. Our government is so fragmented across federal, state, and local levels, as well as within executive, legislative, and judicial branches at each level that decisions made by any governmental actors can be elaborated, implemented, appealed, or ignored by the other. Once this mystery closes, half the book remains. In the remaining pages the author describes the efforts of organizations to do as the Bergalis and other families demanded. Many groups came together to discuss what could be done with this family's request. The end result is no surprise. The Centers for Disease Control issued guidelines but no laws regarding teeth were enacted. The author did an excellent job of research to present an "unbiased" mystery. If he uses a phrase or word the reader might not understand, he explains it briefly in parenthesis. The reviewer found this valuable when the process of virus sampling was discussed. This process linked the victims with the dentist and in scientists' minds confirmed that the dentist was responsible. The author also does an excellent job of creating mysteries he does not solve for the reader, but instead challenges the public to make their own decisions on what is presented in the book. Was the dentist responsible? If so, how did he infect those six patients and why? Most importantly who should have the authority to make laws that are binding on all? A catchy title entices the reader to learn more, and the book, presented as a mystery, is absorbing reading. Susan C. Jorgensen, MS, RN, COHN-S, CIC Joplin, MO