Dr. Philip M. Tierno, the NYU Medical Center director of clinicalmicrobiology and diagnostic immunology, shares the story of bacteria,viruses, and prions and their myriad effects on human beings. From toxicshock syndrome to Lyme disease to diarrheal infections of the Third World,Tierno offers a broad overview of the impact of these microbes on the worldtoday. He also addresses germ warfare, anthrax and other possiblebioweapons.