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In vivo veritas: pathogenesis of infection as it actually happens

Nature Immunology volume 8, pages 1143–1147 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Host-microbe interactions define the life histories of all organisms. We live and die surrounded by harmless and harmful organisms that affect us in a multitude of ways and are themselves affected by our responses. Generations of such reciprocal interactions have produced homeostasis between us and some microbes (commensals), but not between us and others (pathogens), whereas still other microbes (opportunists) change status depending on the host. The study of pathogenesis seeks to define in molecular and genetic terms the difference between these outcomes with the hope of finding ways to prevent disease without losing the symbiotic benefits of microbial colonization.

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Figure 1: Conceptualizing pathogenesis.

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  1. Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8118, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, 63110, Missouri, USA

    Herbert W 'Skip' Virgin

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'Skip' Virgin, H. In vivo veritas: pathogenesis of infection as it actually happens. Nat Immunol 8, 1143–1147 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni1529

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