PATHOGEN Meaning and
Definition
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A pathogen is an organism, often microorganism, that can cause disease in its host. These disease-causing agents have the capability to disrupt normal functions and can lead to illness or even death. Pathogens can be found in various forms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites.
Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can multiply rapidly and produce toxins harmful to the host. Viruses, on the other hand, are small infectious agents that invade and multiply within living cells, causing damage to the host's DNA or cell structure. Fungi are plant-like organisms that can infect the skin, nails, or internal organs, causing diseases such as athlete's foot or pneumonia. Protozoa are microscopic organisms found in water or soil that can cause illnesses like malaria or dysentery. Lastly, parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host, obtaining nutrients from the host's body and causing diseases like malaria, lice infestation, or tapeworm infections.
Pathogens can infect humans, animals, or plants through different routes, including direct contact, inhalation, ingestion, or through vectors like mosquitoes or ticks. They exploit the host's resources to survive and reproduce, often resulting in damage to the host's tissues and vital functions. Understanding the nature and behavior of pathogens is crucial for developing effective prevention methods, vaccines, and treatments against the diseases they cause.
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Any virus, microorganism, or other substance causing disease.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PATHOGEN
Etymology of PATHOGEN
The word "pathogen" comes from the Ancient Greek roots "pathos", meaning "suffering" or "disease", and "genēs", meaning "origin" or "born". The term was first recorded in English in the early 19th century, derived from the Greek word "pathogénēs" (παθογενής) which means "causing disease".
Similar spelling word for PATHOGEN
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