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Host-pathogen interactions: the attributes of virulence
1Division of Infectious Diseases of the Department of Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. casadeva@aecom.yu.edu
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|July 10, 2001
Summary
Microbial virulence depends on host factors, not just pathogen traits. Host damage is proposed as a unifying concept to understand diverse host-microbe interaction outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Microbial virulence is a complex outcome of host-microbe interactions.
- Virulence is influenced by host susceptibility, seen in immunocompromised individuals.
- Pathogen-centered views focusing solely on virulence factors are insufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the definition of microbial virulence.
- To explore a unifying concept for host-microbe interaction outcomes.
- To address the paradox of virulence expression dependent on host factors.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of host-microbe interaction.
- Review of existing literature on virulence and pathogenicity.
- Development of a new theoretical framework for understanding virulence.
Main Results:
- Microbial virulence is not solely determined by pathogen characteristics.
- Host factors significantly modulate the outcome of microbial infections.
- The concept of virulence is paradoxical as it requires a susceptible host.
Conclusions:
- Host damage serves as a common denominator for various host-microbe interaction outcomes.
- A host-centric perspective is crucial for understanding microbial pathogenicity.
- Redefining pathogens requires considering the interaction's outcome, not just microbial factors.