Opportunistic pathogen
Opportunistic Pathogen
Opportunistic pathogen (pronunciation: /ɒpəˈtjuːnɪstɪk ˈpaθədʒən/) refers to any microorganism that can cause disease when the host's immune system is compromised or when they invade the normally sterile areas of the body.
Etymology
The term "opportunistic pathogen" is derived from the word "opportunistic", which means taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, and "pathogen", which refers to a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
Related Terms
- Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Immune System: The body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders.
- Infection: The invasion of an organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agents and the toxins they produce.
- Disease: A particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not due to any immediate external injury.
- Microorganism: A microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus.
Overview
Opportunistic pathogens are typically harmless or even beneficial microorganisms that can become pathogenic under certain conditions. They are often part of the normal flora of the body, living in balance with the host without causing disease. However, when the host's immune system is weakened or compromised, these microorganisms can cause infection.
Opportunistic pathogens can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. They are a significant concern in healthcare settings, particularly for patients with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy, or organ transplant recipients.
Examples
Some examples of opportunistic pathogens include:
- Candida species: These fungi are part of the normal flora of the skin, mouth, intestines, and vagina, but can cause infection when the immune system is compromised.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa: This bacterium is commonly found in the environment and can cause serious infections in people with weakened immune systems.
- Staphylococcus aureus: This bacterium is often found on the skin and in the nose, and can cause serious infections if it enters the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Opportunistic pathogen
- Wikipedia's article - Opportunistic pathogen
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