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A Comparative Approach to Characterize the Landscape of Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interactions
13:56

A Comparative Approach to Characterize the Landscape of Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interactions

Published on: July 18, 2013

What is a pathogen?

Arturo Casadevall, Liise-anne Pirofski

    Annals of Medicine
    |May 17, 2002
    PubMed

    Insights

    A pathogen is not defined by its traits alone but by its interaction with a host. This research redefines pathogens based on their capacity to inflict host damage, shifting focus from microbe to interaction.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Immunology
    • Host-Pathogen Interactions

    Background:

    • Traditional definitions of pathogens focus on microbial characteristics to explain virulence.
    • Virulence is not an inherent microbial trait but is expressed only within a susceptible host.
    • Defining pathogens independently of hosts presents a paradox.

    Discussion:

    • Host-microbe interactions are central to understanding pathogenesis.
    • Virulence is an outcome of these interactions, varying between hosts.
    • Host damage serves as a unifying concept to define interaction outcomes.

    Key Insights:

    • A pathogen is redefined as any microbe capable of causing host damage.
    • This definition emphasizes the host-microbe interaction over microbial-centric views.
    • Understanding host susceptibility is crucial for defining pathogenicity.

    Outlook:

    • Future research should explore the spectrum of host damage caused by microbes.
    • Investigating host factors influencing virulence is essential.
    • This interaction-focused approach can refine disease etiology and treatment strategies.

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