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Author Spotlight: Advanced Enteroid Model for Studying Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: April 5, 2024
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What is a pathogen? Toward a process view of host-parasite interactions
Pierre-Olivier Méthot1, Samuel Alizon
1a Université Laval ; Québec , Canada.
Virulence
|December 9, 2014
Summary
The traditional view of pathogens is outdated. Pathogenicity is a dynamic interaction between host and microbes, influenced by genetic diversity and microbial ecology.
Area of Science:
- Medical microbiology
- Host-parasite interactions
- Microbial ecology and evolution
Background:
- Historically, microorganisms were strictly classified as either pathogens or non-pathogens.
- This binary classification is increasingly challenged by new scientific understanding.
- Recent advances necessitate a re-evaluation of the definition of a pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical overview of host-parasite interactions.
- To address the challenge of defining pathogens in the post-genomic era.
- To propose a new framework for understanding pathogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of host-parasite interactions.
- Review of large-scale sequencing data.
- Integration of concepts from microbial ecology and evolution.
Main Results:
- Large-scale sequencing reveals the complexity of pathogenesis.
- Microbial genetic diversity (within- and between-host) is crucial.
- Pathogenicity is not an inherent trait but a dynamic feature.
Conclusions:
- The traditional binary view of pathogens is untenable.
- Pathogenicity should be understood as a dynamic interaction.
- Microbial ecology and evolution are key to defining pathogens.
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