A collection of readily reproducible laboratory methods for the determination of various pathogenic microorganisms, their effects, and possible measures that can be taken to counter them. For bacterial and viral pathogens, the authors give special attention to PCR methods for detecting genes resistant to tetracycline, for resistance in Salmonella enterica, and for identifying and typing Campylobacter coli. For fungi the authors offer methods for computerized analysis and typing of fungal isolates.., for the isolation and enumeration of fungi in foods, and for the determination of aflatoxin and zearalenone. Other methods deal with hazard analysis, the use of disinfectants, microbiological analysis of cosmetics, microbiological tests for sanitation equipment in factories, and the uses of animals in studies of various characteristics of lactobacilli. Review articles address the spread of pathogens from livestock and poultry production, including the threat of prion-based diseases.