Pathogen Interaction
Pathogen interaction refers to the ways in which harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, engage with their host organisms. These interactions can lead to infections, where the pathogen invades the host's tissues, evades the immune system, and replicates. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing treatments and preventive measures against diseases.
Different pathogens employ various strategies to interact with hosts. For example, some pathogens, like Staphylococcus aureus, produce toxins that damage host cells, while others, like HIV, target specific immune cells to weaken the host's defenses. Studying these mechanisms helps researchers create vaccines and therapies to combat infectious diseases.