Introduction to Infectious Diseases

Question 1

In this host-pathogen relationship, both organisms benefit.

Answer 1

Mutualism

Question 2

What is commensalism?

Answer 2

A pathogen-host relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed, nor benefits.

Question 3

This pathogen-host relationship describes a relationship in which the microbe does not generally cause disease in healthy hosts, but may cause disease when conditions are conducive.

Answer 3

Opportunism

Question 4

What is the difference between an opportunistic and a primary pathogen?

Answer 4

Opportunistic pathogens rarely cause disease, but may cause disease in immunocompromised hosts or in hosts when the environment becomes conducive. Primary pathogens cause disease in healthy hosts and have mechanisms to avoid detection by the host immune system

Question 5

What describes an organism’s ability to cause disease?

Answer 5

Pathogenicity