patogenna

Patogenna is a term used in biology and public health to denote agents that cause disease in a host. In broad usage, patogenna include viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and certain toxins produced by organisms. The concept is linked to pathogenicity, the inherent ability to cause illness, and to virulence, which describes the potential severity of disease.

Pathogenicity arises from factors such as attachment to host cells, invasion of tissues, evasion of the immune response, and toxin production. These traits interact with host factors—immune status, genetics, age—and environmental conditions, determining whether exposure results in infection and disease.

Transmission routes vary: respiratory droplets, direct contact, vectors, contaminated food or water, or vertical transfer. Host range ranges from narrow to broad; some patogenna are restricted to specific species, while others can infect multiple hosts. The outcome of an infection depends on dose, route of entry, and concurrent health conditions.

Diagnosis and surveillance rely on clinical assessment paired with laboratory tests. Management includes prevention (vaccination, hygiene, sanitation), rapid diagnosis, appropriate antimicrobial therapy when indicated, and infection control measures to limit spread. Antimicrobial resistance and emerging pathogens pose ongoing challenges for public health.

Examples of patogenna commonly discussed in public health include influenza viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium species, and Salmonella bacteria. See also pathogenicity, virulence, and infectious disease.