Patho-
A prefix derived from the Greek “pathos” meaning “suffering or disease.” Patho- serves as a prefix for many terms including pathogen (disease agent), pathogenesis (development of disease), pathology (study of disease), etc. The corresponding suffix is -pathy.
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- Pathogen
An agent of disease. For example, Bacillus anthracis is the pathogen that causes anthrax.
- Pathogen inactivation
A process designed to eliminate pathogens from water, air or donated blood. Pathogens include viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Sewage purification systems depend upon pathogen inactivation to purify water to the extent it may be safe enough to drink. Air purification systems may incorporate a HEPA filter to cleanse the air of germs. Pathogen inactivation in […]
- Pathogenesis
The development of a disease and the chain of events leading to that disease.
- Pathogenetic
Pertaining to genetic cause of a disease or condition. For example, BRCA 1 and BRCA2 are genes that, when mutated, are responsible for many cases of cancer of the breast. Therefore, these genes are pathogenetic.
- Pathogenic
Capable of causing disease. For example, pathogenic E. coli are Eschericia coli bacteria that can make a person ill.