The fifth volume of Birkhauser Advances in Infectious Diseases is focused on pediatric infectious diseases. In modern medicine, the discipline pediatric infectious diseases is an important medical specialty. The successful prevention of childhood dise- es like diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis has made a major contribution to the improvement of public health. Understanding the biology of causative agents and the pathogenesis is an essential step in achieving control and elimination of disease. Today pediatric infectious diseases research is closely interconnected with other disciplines. This...