Pathogenic: meaning, definitions and examples
🦠
pathogenic
[ ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪk ]
biological context
Pathogenic refers to the capacity of certain microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, to cause disease in a host organism. These pathogens can invade the host's cells, evade the immune system, and produce toxins that contribute to disease symptoms. The study of pathogenic organisms is crucial in understanding infectious diseases and developing effective treatments and vaccines. Recognizing pathogenic agents helps in diagnosing illnesses and implementing public health strategies to prevent outbreaks.
Synonyms
disease-causing, harmful, infectious.
Examples of usage
- Pathogenic bacteria can cause severe infections.
- The study focused on identifying pathogenic viruses.
- Some fungi are highly pathogenic to plants.
- Understanding pathogenic mechanisms is vital for vaccine development.
Translations
Translations of the word "pathogenic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 patogénico
🇮🇳 पैथोजेनिक
🇩🇪 pathogen
🇮🇩 patogenik
🇺🇦 патогенний
🇵🇱 patogenny
🇯🇵 病原性の
🇫🇷 pathogène
🇪🇸 patogénico
🇹🇷 patojenik
🇰🇷 병원성의
🇸🇦 مُمْرِض
🇨🇿 patogenní
🇸🇰 patogénny
🇨🇳 病原的
🇸🇮 patogen
🇮🇸 sjúkdómsvaldandi
🇰🇿 патогенді
🇬🇪 პათოგენური
🇦🇿 patogen
🇲🇽 patogénico
Etymology
The term 'pathogenic' is derived from the Greek words 'pathos,' which means 'suffering' or 'disease,' and 'genes,' meaning 'born of' or 'producing.' The use of the term began in the late 19th century as scientists and medical professionals began to better understand the relationship between microorganisms and diseases. The development of germ theory by pioneers like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch in the 1800s laid the foundation for identifying pathogenic organisms as the culprits behind infectious diseases. Since then, the term has been widely used in medical and biological texts, particularly as advancements in microbiology and immunology have increased our knowledge of how pathogens interact with their hosts.