Host range

Host range refers to the variety of organisms that a particular pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium, can infect and reproduce within. For example, some viruses may only infect humans, while others can also infect animals or plants. A narrow host range means the pathogen can only infect a specific type of host, while a broad host range allows it to infect multiple species. Understanding host range is essential for studying diseases and developing treatments, as it helps researchers identify potential vectors and assess the risk of transmission across different organisms.