ambiguous term pathogen

[airrick16]

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Are intestinal parasites (protozoans) like crypto and giardia considered 'pathogens'? Just want to make sure I used the appropriate word in my essay...didn't want use 'parasite' everytime.

Usually I hear pathogen used relation to viruses and/or bacteria

 

[greatnt249]

Are intestinal parasites (protozoans) like crypto and giardia considered 'pathogens'? Just want to make sure I used the appropriate word in my essay...didn't want use 'parasite' everytime.

Usually I hear pathogen used relation to viruses and/or bacteria

A pathogen is any agent that is capable of producing disease, so yes, the protozoans you listed would be considered pathogens.

 

[AndyEmmDee]

A follow up question to the OP's -

Does using the term "pathogen" necessitate that this agent be immunogenic (capable of inducing an immune response)?

 

[TMP-SMX]

A pathogen is any infectious agent capable of causing disease.

 

[airrick16]

Okay great its a pathogen. It does provoke an immune response also.

 

[Vihsadas]

My hunch is that it doesn't technically have to induce an immune response, but almost always does.

Think about allergens: They have all the characteristics of pathogens, yet I don't believe they are referred to as pathogens.

What about Cancer? What category would that fall into.

It's probably not so cut and dry in reality, and the usage of the word pathogen probably refers to exogenous biological agents that can cause disease, but not allergens. 🙁