Tuberculosis continues to kills more people than any other single infective agent. The resurgence of the disease in many countries has produced a heightened awareness of the threat posed by mycobacterial infections. At the same time, there has been an explosion of knowledge of the fundamental properties of mycobacteria, most notably the determination of the complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This book provides an up-to-date account of these developments in the molecular biology and immunology of mycobacteria, coupled with allied advances of a more applied nature, such as the use of molecular techniques for diagnosis and epidemiological investigations. With chapters contributed from an international team of experts, it will not only be an essential reference text for the expanding mycobacterial research community, but also will find a prominent place on the shelves of clinicians, infectious disease and public health specialists, diagnostic laboratories, postgraduate students and indeed anyone concerned with the management and investigation of outbreaks of tuberculosis. Comprehensively covers recent advances in the molecular biology of the mycobacteria. First book to be published on this subject since the publishing of the complete genome for the tubercle bacillus (M. tuberculosis). Coincides with a worldwide resurgence of tuberculosis.