Pathogen Factors

Pathogen factors are the characteristics of germs like bacteria, viruses, or fungi that determine how they cause disease. These include their ability to invade the body, evade the immune system, produce toxins, and multiply rapidly. For example, some pathogens have tools like enzymes or special surface proteins that help them stick to or enter our cells. Understanding these factors helps scientists develop treatments and vaccines by targeting the specific ways pathogens cause illness. In essence, pathogen factors are the biological traits that influence how harmful the germs can be and how difficult they are to eliminate.