Definition of Terms Related to Infectious Process and Disease Transmission

o PATHOGENS – disease causing microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and viruses.

Types of pathogens:

1. True Pathogen: refers to an organism that will cause disease in a healthy host.

2. Opportunistic Pathogens: refers to organisms that will cause disease in an

immunocompromised host (weak immunity).

o Pathogenicity – refers to the ability of an organism to cause disease in a host organism.

o Virulence – refers to the degree of pathogenicity; the power by which a pathogen can cause severe
disease.

o Pathogenic determinants/virulence factors - refers to any genetic, biochemical, or structural

features that enable a pathogen to cause disease in a host organism.