The book gives a comprehensive overview on the knowledge of virus infection relevant for humans and animals. For each virus family the molecular details of the virus particle and the viral replication cycle are described. In the case of virus types with relevance for human and/or animal health the data on molecular biology, genetics and virus-cell interaction are combined with those concerning, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinics, prevention and therapy.

Susanne Modrow is professor of genetics at the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene at the University of Regensburg, where she also directs a research department for molecular virology.

Dietrich Falke is Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Virology at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz.

Uwe Truyen is professor of animal hygiene and control of epizootic disease. He is head of the Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health in the Centre of Veterinary Public Health of the University Leipzig, Germany.

Hermann Schätzl was professor of clinical virology at the Institute for Virology at the Technical University Munich and is now Wyoming Excellence Chair and professor at the University of Wyoming, departments of veterinary sciences and molecular biology.