This article is a collection of book reviews published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology in 1998. Six microbiology and infectious disease textbooks are reviewed by various editors. The reviews cover "Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases" (2nd edition), which organizes cases by anatomical system rather than organism type and includes improved color illustrations; "Tuberculosis Bacteriology: Organisation and Practice" (2nd edition), a practical guide for diagnostic mycobacteriology laboratories covering specimen collection through nucleic acid-based detection techniques; "Current Clinical Topics in Infectious Diseases" (volume 17), an annual series of expert reviews on specialized infectious disease topics including emerging pathogens and treatment strategies; "Notes on Medical Virology" (11th edition), a well-structured introduction for medical students covering viral diseases and updated antiviral therapies; "Molecular Genetics of Bacteria", an undergraduate and postgraduate text on bacterial molecular genetics with emphasis on classical experiments; "Infection and Environment", critiqued as having inconsistent organization and limited visual appeal; and "CMV-Related Immunopathology", proceedings integrating virological and immunological perspectives on cytomegalovirus infection and disease.

Key findings

• The reviewed texts demonstrate significant improvements in second editions, with enhanced illustrations, reorganized content, and updated information reflecting advances in molecular diagnostics and antiviral therapy.
• Practical laboratory texts for mycobacteriology and virology balance foundational techniques with emerging molecular methods, though some sources lack comprehensive references for observations.
• Educational texts vary in accessibility and organization, with structured, well-illustrated formats proving more effective for student learning than text-heavy presentations.
• CMV immunopathology research increasingly integrates virological and immunological approaches to understand pathogenic mechanisms in transplant and AIDS patients.
• Textbook reviews highlight geographic variations in infectious disease prevalence, antibiotic availability, and vaccination policies between North America and the UK.