Which of the following contributes to the virulence of a pathogen?
A)numbers of microorganisms that gain access to a host
B)evasion of host defenses
C)toxin production
D)numbers of microorganisms that gain access to a host and evasion of host defenses
E)numbers of microorganisms that gain access to a host,evasion of host defenses,and toxin production

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of these factors contribute to the virulence of a pathogen. The number of microorganisms that gain access to a host can determine the severity of the infection, as a larger number can overwhelm the host's immune system. Evasion of host defenses allows the pathogen to avoid being eliminated by the body's immune system, allowing it to continue infecting the host. Finally, toxins produced by the pathogen can directly damage host cells and tissues or contribute to the overall inflammatory response, leading to more severe symptoms. Therefore, all three factors - numbers of microorganisms, evasion of host defenses, and toxin production - are important for a pathogen's virulence.

Which of the Following Contributes to the Virulence of a Pathogen