Microorganism causing disease in otherwise healthy individuals.
To be a primary pathogen an organism must be able to overcome normal host defenses (immune system) in order to cause disease. This is rather than overcoming these defenses when the host is already in a weakened or injured state, including when such a compromised state is due to previous infection by a different pathogen. Contrast especially opportunistic pathogen.
For more on this topic, see Wikipedia and Google. Contact web master. Return to home.
