Smallpox has been eradicated from the globe. Diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, poliomyelitis and dracunculosis are on the verge of eradication. However, new diseases have emerged and some old diseases have re-emerged in India and other parts of the globe; to mention a few, they are chikungunya fever, Hanta virus pulmonary syndrome, Lyme disease, West Nile encephalitis, cryptosporidiosis, cyclosporiasis, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza, transfusion and transplant-related diseases. The aim of this book is to highlight selected problems with new and old diseases, e.g. transplantation rabies and rabies transmitted by bats, coinfection of tuberculosis and HIV, etc. The book also emphasizes on recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of various infectious diseases. It has a general section on infectious diseases and their prevention. Authors of various chapters are experienced workers in their field and thus there are plenty of references in this book. The book is expected to be of immense help to physicians, microbiologists, and pediatricians—both budding and established.

Not the least, my sincere thanks to Mr Puneet Mishra for helping to prepare the manuscript of this book.

Any suggestion is welcome.

Reader's satisfaction, Author's success.